Urology
Urological Conditions
Bladder
Function and Location
The bladder, located in the pelvis, is a hollow, muscular, balloon
shaped organ that stores urine. The kidneys make urine when they
filter the blood. Urine flows from the kidneys through a pair
of thin tubes, the ureters, to the bladder, where it is stored
until a person urinates. During urination, muscles in the wall
of the bladder contract, forcing urine out of the bladder and
into a tube called the urethra. One end of the urethra is connected
to the bladder; the other end is open. In women, the opening
is located just above the vagina. In men, it's at the tip of
the penis. When the bladder muscles tighten and the spincter
muscles relax, urine leaves the body by passing through the opening
of the urethra.