Structure, function and ailments of the bladder

The bladder or urinary bladder is one of the most flexible organs in the human body. Its most important function is to collect urine. Read here what else it does, where the bladder is located and when it can cause ailments.

[Translate to English:] Person zeigt mit Hand auf virtuelles Modell einer Blase.

Anatomy

Anatomy – where is the bladder located?

The bladder is an organ located in the front pelvic area and is part of the urinary system. The kidneys, which produce urine, are locatedabove the urinary bladder. The bladder and kidneys are connected via the ureters, which are 2 thin tubes used to transport urine. The urethra, through which the urine is passed out, originates at the lower part of the bladder.

Structure of the bladder

This is how the anatomy of the human bladder looks: The urinary bladder is hollow inside and collapses like a balloon when it is empty. The bladder wall consists of several layers of connective tissue and muscle, using which the bladder can flexibly expand and contract again, depending on whether it is holding a lot of urine or is emptying.

Differences in the male and female bladder

In men the narrow urethra is about 25 centimetres long and extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis.1 In women the urethra ends above the vaginal opening and is only 4 to 5centimetres long.1

Functions

The functions of the bladder

The function of the bladder is to collect the urine produced by the kidneys and to excrete it when is sufficiently full. The bladder acts as a kind of reservoir - depending on its size, it has an average capacity of up to 500millilitres.2

If there is around 150 to 250 millilitres of urine in the bladder, there is already an urge to urinate, i.e. the feeling of wanting to go to the toilet.2 The more the bladder fills up, the more it expands and the urge to urinate increases.

[Translate to English:] Harndrang: Frau hält sich die Hand an die Blase.

How does the bladder know when it should hold and release urine?

There are special nerve cells on the bladder wall that constantly check the amount of urine in the bladder. Once the bladder is full, the corresponding information is sent via nerve pathways to the spinal cord and brain. As a result, the brain sends signals to the body that urine needs to be excreted.

Controlling the urination

Urination can be controlled by the external sphincter muscle that surrounds the urethra. This enables people to decide when to pass urine. The sphincter muscle is usually tight so that urine is not discharged unintentionally. To empty the bladder, the sphincter muscle relaxes. At the same time, the bladder muscle contracts. This allows urine to enter the urethra and be discharged through it. The bladder outlet then closes again.

Ailments

Possible problems and diseases of the bladder

There are various diseases of the bladder, including

  • Bladder weakness: Those affected have the problem that they pass urine without control because they cannot or cannot sufficiently control the release of urine. Experts call this urinary incontinence. This can vary a lot - sometimes only a few drops, but also large quantities of urine may be discharged unintentionally. More than 60 per cent of people over 60 are affected by this – up to the age of 75, twice as many women are affected as men.3
  • Bladder inflammation (cystitis): The mucous membrane of the bladder is inflamed. This is usually caused by a bacterial infection (for example from the intestine), which enter the bladder via the urethra. A typical symptom of cystitis is frequent urination, which may be accompanied by a burning or painful sensation.
  • Irritable bladder: This form of bladder dysfunction affects around 10 to 20 per cent of all people in the course of their lives.4 There is no organic cause for irritable bladder syndrome and the factors are not fully understood. Symptoms may include pain when urinating and a frequent urge to urinate.

Important:

In rare cases, symptoms such as frequent or painful urination can be caused by a serious illness, such as bladder cancer. A malignant tumour of the urinary bladder is relatively rare compared to other cancers.5 Nevertheless, if your symptoms persistent, you should consult a doctor and get it checked.

Products

Products from APOGEPHA for Problems of the bladder

In the course of their lives, many people suffer once or several times from harmless bladder diseases such as bladder inflammation (cystitis). For supporting the treatment of cystitis, even when taking antibiotics, women can rely on the FEMALAC® bacteria blocker, UROL FLUX® flushing therapy is ideally suitable for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, renal gravel or urinary stones.

Treating and preventing bladder inflammation

For the supportive treatment of simple bladder inflammations and for preventing urinary tract infections (caused by E. coli bacteria). Can be used for long duration, without a prescription.

To FEMALAC®

Flushing the urinary tract naturally

The herbal medicine UROL FLUX® is used to flush out inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, urinary stones and renal gravel. It can also be used to prevent urinary stones and renal gravel and is available without a prescription.

To UROL FLUX®

FAQ

The most important questions and answers about the bladder

The bladder is located in the front pelvic area. Above it are the kidneys, to which it is connected via the ureters. The urethra extends down from the bladder to the vaginal opening in women and to the penis in men. 

The bladder is located approximately at the level of the pubic bone. However, it can also expand further upwards when it is full.

Depending on its size, the bladder has an average capacity of up to 500 millilitres.2

If you drink about 2 litres a day, 5 to 7 visits to the toilet during the day and 1 additional visit at night are perfectly normal.2 If you have to go to the toilet more often over a long period of time, you should speak to a doctor.

Its function is to collect the urine produced in the kidneys. The bladder muscle and the bladder 's  sphincter muscles ensure that the urine can be discharged in a controlled manner during a visit to the toilet.

The bladder is very flexible. Bursting caused by prolonged retention of urine is therefore unlikely. Rather, it empties itself. However, the bladder can rupture if it is injured, for example by an impact during a serious accident.

Nerve cells in the bladder wall detect the urine level in the bladder. Signals are sent to the brain, triggering the corresponding responses for holding urine or releasing it.

The urine discharge from the bladder can be controlled voluntarily using the external sphincter muscle. We can therefore actively decide when we want to empty our bladder by consciously tensing or relaxing this muscle.

Various factors affect how often someone has to go to the toilet. This includes the amount of fluids you drink, but also the size of your bladder, illnesses and the intake of certain medications.

Sources

  • 1 "Urethra". Georg Thieme Verlag KG, https://viamedici.thieme.de/lernmodul/557217/529677/harnr%C3%B6hre+urethra. Accessed on 08 July 2024.
  • 2 "How does the bladder work?" Stiftung Gesundheitswissen, https://www.stiftung-gesundheitswissen.de/gesundes-leben/koerper-wissen/wie-funktioniert-die-harnblase. Accessed on 08 July 2024.
  • 3 "Bladder weakness (urinary incontinence)". Bund.de, https://gesund.bund.de/inkontinenz-und-blasenschwaeche. Accessed on 08 July 2024.
  • 4 "What are the symptoms of an overactive bladder?" PI DE, 20th February 2019, https://patients.uroweb.org/de/sind-die-symptome-einer-uberaktiven-blase/.
  • 5 "Cancer incidence - the latest figures". Krebsgesellschaft.de, https://www.krebsgesellschaft.de/onko-internetportal/basis-informationen-krebs/allgemeine-informationen/krebshaeufigkeit-die-aktuellen-daten.html. Accessed on 08 July 2024. 

    FEMALAC®

    • Pharmacy-exclusive
    • Treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections

    For the supportive treatment of cystitis: FEMALAC® blocks E. coli bacteria in the bladder and is also suitable for prevention.

    further information
    [Translate to English:]

    Cystitis

      Urinary tract infections occur frequently and can be accompanied by pain or trouble in passing urine. Find everything you need to know here:

      further information

      Bladder cancer

        Bladder carcinoma is one of the more common cancers, especially in men. The earlier bladder cancer is detected, the better the chances of treatment.

        further information