The urinary bladder is a muscular sac in the pelvis, just above and behind the pubic bone. When empty, the bladder is about the size and shape of a pear. Urine is made in the kidneys and travels down two tubes called ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores urine, allowing urination to be infrequent and controlled.
Why do women have bladder problems?
There are different types of incontinence: Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks as pressure is put on the bladder, for example, during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. It’s the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-age women. It may begin around the time of menopause.
What is the function of the female bladder?
- Two ureters. These narrow tubes carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. ...
- Bladder. This triangle-shaped, hollow organ is located in the lower abdomen. ...
- Two sphincter muscles. These circular muscles help keep urine from leaking by closing tightly like a rubber band around the opening of the bladder.
- Nerves in the bladder. ...
- Urethra. ...
What does a normal female urethra look like?
The developed female urethra is a 4-cm tubular structure that begins at the bladder neck and terminates at the vaginal vestibule (see the image below). It is a richly vascular spongy cylinder and is designed to provide continence. Female urinary organs.
Where is the bladder in a female human located?
The bladder on a female human is located along the body's midsection at the inferior end of the pelvis. It is a small pouch like empty organ that is used for the storage of urine. The bladder is one of the crucial components of the urinary system and is responsible for acting as a plumbing system in conjunction with the ureters and urethra, in order to drain urine from the kidneys that are responsible for storing it.
Where is the bladder at in a woman?
In women, the bladder sits on top of the front wall of the vagina.
What side is your bladder on left or right?
The bladder sits in the center of the pelvis. If a person feels pain in the lower right or left abdomen, it is less likely to relate to the bladder and may signal kidney stones instead.
What are bladder problem symptoms?
See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine. Bladder problems can affect your quality of life and cause other health problems.
What causes bladder pains in females?
The three most common causes of bladder pain are interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infection, and bladder cancer.
Where do you feel bladder pain?
Since the bladder sits in the middle of the body, bladder pain is usually felt in the center of the pelvis or lower abdomen as opposed to one side.
How does the doctor check your bladder?
Cystoscopy (sis-TOS-kuh-pee) is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the lining of your bladder and the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). A hollow tube (cystoscope) equipped with a lens is inserted into your urethra and slowly advanced into your bladder.
What are the symptoms of a bladder infection in females?
SymptomsA strong, persistent urge to urinate.A burning sensation when urinating.Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.Urine that appears cloudy.Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine.Strong-smelling urine.More items...•
How do you clean your bladder?
Drink Plenty of Fluids to Flush Out Bacteria — but Don't Overdo It. Drinking plenty of water — six to eight glasses daily — can flush bacteria out of your urinary tract and help prevent bladder infections. But many people drink more than that these days, having heard that drinking water frequently is healthy, Dr.
When to Seek A Specialist
Many health care providers can evaluate bladder control problems without referring you to a specialist. In spite of better understanding and treatm...
Bladder Diary: A Detailed Symptom Record
Before your visit, ask your doctor's office for a bladder diary and how to use it so that you can track information for several days in a row.A bla...
What to Expect from Treatment
As a first step, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to "train" your bladder, such as performing pelvic-strengthening exercises (Kegel exer...
What is the urinary tract?
Anatomy of the Female Urinary Tract. Your urinary tract helps get rid of urine (your body’s liquid waste). The kidneys collect chemicals and water your body doesn’t need. This is turned into urine. Urine travels out of the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder. The bladder holds urine until you’re ready to release it.
Which muscle holds urine until you're ready to release it?
The bladder holds urine until you’re ready to release it. The urethra carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The main sphincter muscle circles the mid-urethra.
How to train your bladder?
As a first step, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to "train" your bladder, such as performing pelvic-strengthening exercises (Kegel exercises) and following a schedule for when you drink fluids and use the bathroom. For some women, medications help. For others, surgery provides effective treatment.
What is a bladder diary?
A bladder diary is a detailed, day-to-day record of your symptoms and other information related to your urinary habits. It can help you and your doctor determine the ...
What is the name of the doctor who treats the pelvic floor?
Urogynecologist. This is an obstetrician-gynecologist with additional training in problems that affect the pelvic floor — the network of muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and nerves that helps support and control the bladder and other pelvic organs. Urologist.
What doctor treats urinary problems?
Doctors who specialize in urinary disorders include: Geriatrician. This medical doctor specializes in the care of older adults, often with emphasis on problems related to common ...
Can you have bladder control without a specialist?
Many health care providers can evaluate bladder control problems without referring you to a specialist. In spite of better understanding and treatment of urinary incontinence, some providers may consider it an inevitable consequence of childbearing, menopause or aging.
Does bladder control improve after treatment?
Your bladder control problems may significantly improve after treatment. Any improvement, however, counts as a success, as long as it helps you to do what you like and enhances your quality of life. May 01, 2021. Show references.
Can surgery help with bladder control?
For some women, medications help. For others, surgery provides effective treatment. But, both medications and surgery have side effects you'll want to discuss with your doctor before deciding on these treatment options. What's best for you depends on the type and severity of your bladder control problem.
What is the urinary system?
Description: Anatomy of the female urinary system; shows the right and left kidneys, the ureters, the bladder filled with urine, and the urethra. The inside of the left kidney shows the renal pelvis. An inset shows the renal tubules and urine. The uterus is also shown.
Where does urine go in the body?
The urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder. The urine is stored in the bladder until it leaves the body through the urethra. Topics/Categories: Anatomy -- Genitourinary. Type: Color, Medical Illustration (JPEG format) Source: National Cancer Institute. Creator:
Where is the bladder located?
In humans, the bladder is a hollow muscular organ situated at the base of the pelvis. In gross anatomy, the bladder can be divided into a broad fundus, a body, an apex, and a neck. The apex is directed forward toward the upper part of the pubic symphysis, and from there the median umbilical ligament continues upward on the back ...
What are the causes of bladder problems?
Disorders of or related to the bladder include: 1 Bladder exstrophy 2 Bladder sphincter dyssynergia, a condition in which the sufferer cannot coordinate relaxation of the urethra sphincter with the contraction of the bladder muscles 3 Paruresis 4 Trigonitis 5 Urinary retention
How does urine leave the body?
Urine leaves the bladder via the urethra, a single muscular tube ending in an opening called the urinary meatus, where it exits the body. Urination involves coordinated muscle changes involving a reflex based in the spine, with higher inputs from the brain. During urination, the detrusor muscle contracts, and the external urinary sphincter and muscles of the perineum relax, allowing urine to pass through the urethra and out of the body.
How much urine does a human bladder hold?
Urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra. The typical human bladder will hold between 300 and 500 ml (10.14 and 16.91 fl oz) before the urge to empty occurs, but can hold considerably more.
What is the organ that stores urine?
Pelvis. The urinary blad der, or simply bladder, is a hollow muscular organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a hollow distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor.
What is the Latin word for bladder?
The modern Latin word for "bladder" – cystis – appears in associated terms such as cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).
Why do amphibians have a high rate of urine production?
As a result, they tend to have high rates of urine production to offset this high water intake , and have urine which is low in dissolved salts. The urinary bladder assists such animals to retain salts. Some aquatic amphibian such as Xenopus do not reabsorb water, to prevent excessive water influx. For land-dwelling amphibians, dehydration results in reduced urine output.
Why does my bladder leak urine?
NIH external link. Weak pelvic floor muscles can make it hard for your bladder to keep urine in during stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when some of your movements—coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity—put pressure on your bladder and cause urine to leak. A weak pelvic floor can also cause fecal incontinence, ...
How do you know if you have urinary incontinence?
Signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence can include. leaking urine during everyday activities, such as lifting, bending, coughing, or exercising. feeling a sudden, strong urge to urinate right away. leaking urine without any warning or urge. being unable to reach a toilet in time. wetting your bed during sleep.
What is it called when your prostate gets too big?
The prostate gets bigger as a man ages. When the prostate gets too big but isn’t cancerous, a man has a condition called prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Men with an enlarged prostate may have.
What does it mean when you pee too often?
urinate too often—8 or more bathroom visits a day—also called frequency. see blood in the urine, also called hematuria. have bladder infection symptoms, including painful urination. These symptoms can signal a serious health problem, including inflammation of the bladder, also called cystitis, or even bladder cancer. NIH external link.
How often should I urinate with UI?
See a health care professional if you. can’t pass urine or empty your bladder. urinate too often—8 or more bathroom visits a day—also called frequency.
What causes incontinence?
diabetes. overweight or obesity. Some health problems can be short-term, like coughing or constipation, and can cause temporary incontinence. When a disability or a problem speaking or thinking keeps you from reaching a toilet in time, you have functional incontinence. Problems with your nervous system.
Can a weak pelvic floor cause bowel problems?
A weak pelvic floor can also cause fecal incontinence, or bowel control problems. View full-sized image. Weak pelvic floors can cause your bladder to move downward and push slightly out of the bottom of your pelvis, causing urinary incontinence.
What is the pain of a bladder?
Interstitial cystitis, also referred to as bladder pain syndrome, is a chronic condition that causes painful urinary symptoms. It affects mostly women, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
How many women develop UTI?
Trusted Source. of women may have early symptoms of interstitial cystitis. Research suggests that at least 40 to 60 percent of women develop a UTI during their lifetime, most of which are bladder infections. The differences in a woman’s anatomy increase the risk of bladder infections.
Why does my bladder hurt?
This is likely due to the fact that the two most common causes of bladder pain — urinary tract infections and interstitial cystitis — more often affect women than men.
What is the most common type of bladder cancer?
There are different types of bladder cancers but urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma, which begins in the urothelial cells in the lining of your bladder, is the most common type. Bladder cancer is more common in men than women and occurs most often after the age of 55.
What tests are used to diagnose interstitial cystitis?
Your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose interstitial cystitis: medical history, including symptoms. bladder diary of your fluid intake and the volume of urine you pass. pelvic exam (women) prostate exam (men) urinalysis to check for infection . cystoscopy to view the lining of your bladder.
What is a UTI?
Urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection along any part of your urinary tract, including the bladder. Men and women can get UTIs, but they are more common in women. UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the bladder through the urethra.
What is the best medicine for bladder pain?
Prescription medications such as Tricyclic antidepressants may help relax your bladder and block pain. Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) is approved by the FDA to treat the condition. Bladder training. Bladder training may help your bladder to hold more urine.
Overview
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra. The typical human bladder will hold between 300 and 500 ml (10.14 and 16.91 fl oz) before the urge to empty occurs, but can hold considerably more.
Structure
In humans, the bladder is a hollow muscular organ situated at the base of the pelvis. In gross anatomy, the bladder can be divided into a broad fundus, a body, an apex, and a neck. The apex is directed forward toward the upper part of the pubic symphysis, and from there the median umbilical ligament continues upward on the back of the anterior abdominal wall to the umbilicus. The peritoneum is carried by it from the apex on to the abdominal wall to form the middle umbilica…
Function
Urine, excreted by the kidneys, collects in the bladder because of drainage from two ureters, before disposal by urination (micturition). Urine leaves the bladder via the urethra, a single muscular tube ending in an opening called the urinary meatus, where it exits the body. Urination involves coordinated muscle changes involving a reflex based in the spine, with higher inputs from the brain. During urination, the detrusor muscle contracts, and the external urinary sphincter and mu…
Clinical significance
Cystitis refers to infection or inflammation of the bladder. It commonly occurs as part of a urinary tract infection. In adults, it is more common in women than men, owing to a shorter urethra. It is common in males during childhood, and in older men where an enlarged prostate may cause urinary retention. Other risk factors include other causes of blockage or narrowing, such as prostate cancer or the presence of vesico-ureteric reflux; the presence of outside structures in th…
Other animals
All mammals have a urinary bladder. This structure begins as an embryonic cloaca. In the vast majority, this eventually becomes differentiated into a dorsal part connected to the intestine and a ventral part which becomes associated with the urinogenital passage and urinary bladder. The only mammals in which this does not take place are the platypus and the spiny anteater both of which retain the cloaca into adulthood.
See also
• Alpha blocker
• Cystitis glandularis
• UPK1B
External links
• Anatomy photo: Urinary/mammal/bladder/bladder1 - Comparative Organology at University of California, Davis – "Mammal, bladder (LM, Medium)"
• Bladder (ISSN 2327-2120) – An open-access journal on bladder biology and diseases.