Bladder and ureters

The bladder is a hollow muscular organ that acts as a reservoir for the urine. Within the outer muscle layers it has several waterproof inner lining layers. The size, position, and relationship to other organs vary according to the amount of fluid the bladder contains. It receives urine from the kidneys through drainage funnels (the ureters) that open low down on the back wall of the bladder. Urine drains from the lowest point of the bladder through an outflow tube (the urethra).

When the bladder is moderately full it contains about 500mL. The bladder capacity decreases with a variety of medical conditions and to some extent with increasing age. Nerves in the bladder sense the amount of filling and relay signals that increase when it is time to urinate (empty the bladder).

Bladder problems

Bladder problems may include:

Problems of bladder storage - urinary incontinence (leakage), frequent or urgent urination
Problems of bladder emptying – urinary retention, straining to urinate, slow urine flow
Painful urination
Urinary infection
Bloody urine (Haematuria)
Bladder stones
Bladder cancer