The human bladder

BETA

artiteacher Tap the expanding water balloon to learn how the bladder stores and releases urine.

artiteacher Anatomy of a biological balloon

This muscular balloon stretches out wide (stretches wide!) / Keeping all the fluid safe inside (safe inside!)

artiteacher The detrusor muscle squeeze

artiteacher Two separate muscular rings, one automatic and one voluntary, control the flow of urine out of the body.

artiteacher The detrusor is a network of smooth muscle fibers that remains relaxed while filling but contracts powerfully to empty.

Fun Fact

Bladder capacity: A healthy adult bladder can hold about 16 ounces of liquid, roughly the size of a pint glass.

Glossary

bladder (noun)
A hollow, muscular organ in many vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before excretion. In 1543, Andreas Vesalius published detailed illustrations of this organ's structure in his groundbreaking anatomical text.

Gossip

Where is your favorite place to think?

Quiz

Who popularized pelvic floor exercises in 1948 to help strengthen muscles supporting the bladder?

artiteacher Guarding the exit with sphincters

Quiz

Around what age do humans typically develop conscious control over their external urethral sphincter?

artiteacher The stretchy lining called urothelium

Quiz

Which bladder sphincter muscle is under our voluntary, conscious control?

artiteacher The pelvic floor hammock

Quiz

What is the name of the waterproof inner lining of the human bladder?

Quiz

What is the primary muscle group that forms the supportive pelvic floor 'hammock'?

Quiz

What shape do the urothelium's umbrella cells take when the bladder is completely empty?

Quiz

Which muscle contracts to squeeze urine out of the bladder during urination?

Quiz

What is the average maximum volume of liquid a healthy adult bladder can comfortably hold?