Urinary Bladder Anatomy

This triangle-shaped, hollow organ is located in the lower abdomen. It is held in place by ligaments that are attached to other organs and the pelvic bones. The bladder’s walls relax and expand to store urine, and contract and flatten to empty urine through the urethra.

The urinary bladder is a complex organ that stores urine temporarily. It’s made up of several parts, including: 

The urinary bladder is a temporary storage reservoir for urine. It is located in the pelvic cavity, posterior to the symphysis pubis, and below the parietal peritoneum. The size and shape of the urinary bladder varies with the amount of urine it contains and with the pressure it receives from surrounding organs.

The inner lining of the urinary bladder is a mucous membrane of transitional epithelium that is continuous with that in the ureters. When the bladder is empty, the mucosa has numerous folds called rugae. The rugae and transitional epithelium allow the bladder to expand as it fills.

The second layer in the walls is the submucosa, which supports the mucous membrane. It is composed of connective tissue with elastic fibers.

The next layer is the muscularis, which is composed of smooth muscle. The smooth muscle fibers are interwoven in all directions and, collectively, these are called the detrusor muscle. Contraction of this muscle expels urine from the bladder. On the superior surface, the outer layer of the bladder wall is parietal peritoneum. In all other regions, the outer layer is fibrous connective tissue.

There is a triangular area, called the trigone, formed by three openings in the floor of the urinary bladder. Two of the openings are from the ureters and form the base of the trigone. Small flaps of mucosa cover these openings and act as valves that allow urine to enter the bladder but prevent it from backing up from the bladder into the ureters. The third opening, at the apex of the trigone, is the opening into the urethra. A band of the detrusor muscle encircles this opening to form the internal urethral sphincter.

  • Layers: The bladder has multiple layers, including:
    • Urothelium: The layer of cells that lines the inside of the bladder 
    • Lamina propria: A connective tissue layer that surrounds the urothelium 
    • Detrusor muscle: The thick, smooth muscle layer that contracts to expel urine 
    • Fatty connective tissue: The layer that covers the outside of the bladder and separates it from other organs 
  • Parts: The bladder has four main parts:
    • Dome: The top-front part of the bladder that points toward the abdominal wall 
    • Body: The central part of the bladder that stores urine 
    • Fundus: The bottom-back part of the bladder, also known as the base 
    • Neck: The narrow group of muscles at the base of the bladder that connects to the urethra 
  • Trigone: A triangular area at the base of the bladder where the ureters connect 
  • Sphincter muscles: Two circular muscles that close tightly to prevent urine from leaking 
  • Nerves: The bladder receives sensory and motor supply from the nervous system, which alerts the person when it’s time to urinate 

Four parts make up the structure (anatomy) of the bladder:

  • Dome. The dome, or apex, is the top-front part of your bladder. It points toward your abdominal wall.
  • Base. The base is the bottom-back part of your bladder, also referred to as the fundus.
  • Body. The bladder body makes up the area between the dome and the base.
  • Neck. The bladder neck is along the base of your bladder. It’s a narrow group of muscles that connect to your urethra.

The bladder’s size and shape change depending on how much urine it contains and the pressure from surrounding organs. The bladder’s strength decreases with age, but abdominal skeletal muscles can be contracted voluntarily to help empty the bladder more forcefully.

 

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References

 

Show full profile Dr. Harun Ar Rashid

Dr. MD Harun Ar Rashid, FCPS, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including FCPS, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and community outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices.

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