What is the Bladder?
A. The bladder serves as a reservoir for urine in our bodies. It permits the storage of urine for a period of time before releasing it as we urinate. It can be thought of as a muscular balloon; a flattened structure when there is no urine (immediately after a person urinates) but able to be filled to up to a liter (though this would be very uncomfortable) with urine. Normally, as the bladder nears 500 cc (1/2 of a liter), we feel the urge to urinate. The muscular structure of the bladder also helps other pelvic muscles push the urine out when it is released. The bladder is located deep in the pelvis, just above the pubic symphysis, which is a bone that can be felt in the midline on the front of our pelvis. In fact, when the bladder is over distended, it can be felt by a physician. Ureters empty urine into the bladder from the kidneys, and the urethra leads out from the bladder, emptying urine out of our bodies.
