The bladder is part of the excretory system of most vertebrates, including humans. It is located in the pelvis and is extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. What is the structure and function of the bladder? What is the danger of violations in his work?
Animal bladder
For isolation in animals, completely different organs can serve. In invertebrates, they are more primitive. The functions of the bladder in them are performed by the tubules, pores, excretory tubes or glands.
Most vertebrates have kidneys, ureters, and a bladder to excrete, an organ in which excretory products accumulate before leaving the body. It is absent in cartilaginous fish and birds, and it is underdeveloped in crocodiles and some lizards.
The structure and functions of the ureters and bladder are different in different organisms. In humans and mammals, they are the most complex. Their main feature is the separation with the anus, which is not, for example, amphibians and reptiles.
Human urinary system
One of the products of our life is urine. It consists of 97% water and 3% of decay products (acids, proteins, salts, glucose, etc.). By filtering blood, urine forms the kidneys. In shape, they are similar to beans and reach 10-12 centimeters in length.
From the kidneys leaves one process 30 centimeters long and up to 7 centimeters in diameter. These are muscle tubes through which urine is sent to the bladder in small portions at intervals of approximately 20 seconds.
When enough fluid accumulates, the bubble contracts and removes it through a special channel - the urethra. It is not the same for different sexes. So, in women, the urethra is shorter and wider, in men it is longer (up to 25 cm) and narrow (up to 8 mm). In addition, in men, ducts with sperm exit into it.
To prevent the urea from rising again, the ureters narrow in three places: near the connection with the kidneys, at the connection with the bladder, and at the site of passage of the iliac vessels.
Where is the bubble located?
The functions of the human bladder completely determine its structure and position inside the body. The organ is located in the lower part of the pelvis in the retroperitoneal space behind the pubic region. On the sides, it is bordered by muscles that are responsible for raising the anus.
In childhood, it is located higher in the peritoneum, and does not apply to the organs of the reproductive system. Over time, its size and position changes somewhat. In men, it is located next to the vas deferens and rectum, and the bottom rests on the prostate. In women, the bladder is located near the vagina.
The following organ elements are distinguished: the upper part, the body or the main part, the neck and the bottom. The apex is the narrowed part directed to the inner wall of the abdomen. Its end passes into the umbilical cord.
Down from the top begins the main part. The ureters go deep into the bladder, and its bottom is located below between them and the urethra. Near the bottom, the body of the bladder narrows, forming a neck, which leads to the urethra.
Internal structure
The bladder is a muscle organ. It is hollow inside, and its walls consist of several layers. On top of the body of the bladder smooth muscles cover: outside they are longitudinal, round in the middle, and reticular inside. In the neck area they are supplemented by striated muscles.
The muscles are responsible for the contraction of the walls of the bladder. Under them is a loose in connective tissue structure. It is penetrated by a dense network of vessels supplying the organ with blood. Inside is the mucous membrane of the transitional epithelium. She secrets a secret that prevents the tissues of the bladder from coming into contact with microbes.
The ureters enter the organ from the sides at an angle. Around the neck is a circular muscle - the sphincter. This is a kind of valve, which, compressing, closes the opening of the excretory channel and prevents spontaneous urination.
Bladder function
This organ can easily be compared to a vessel or sac. In our body, it plays the role of a reservoir, which accumulates the liquid processed by the kidneys, and then brings it out. Along with water, substances unnecessary to him come out of the body - surpluses that cannot be absorbed, as well as poisons and toxins.
The function of the ureters, bladder and kidneys is clearly debugged. The kidneys work continuously in the body, and in the absence of a bladder, urge to the toilet would be much more frequent. After all, we remember how often the ureters throw urine.
Thanks to our “storehouse” and, of course, the sphincter muscle that holds urine, a person can visit the restroom much less often and at a convenient time. Abuse this is also not worth it, so as not to worsen the condition of the organs.
Features of the bladder
With moderate drinking and normal functioning of organs per day, up to 1.5-2 liters of urine are excreted in a person. The capacity of the bladder in men is from 0.3 to 0.75 liters, and in women up to 0.5 liters.
In the absence of fluid, the body is relaxed and resembles a deflated balloon. As it fills, its walls begin to stretch, increasing the volume of the cavity. The walls themselves are thinned, reducing thickness several times.
A healthy person can use the toilet 3-8 times a day. But this indicator strongly depends on the amount of liquid drunk, air temperature and other external conditions. We begin to urge to urinate when the bladder is filled more than 200 mm.
In addition to blood vessels, a large number of nerve endings, nodes and neurons are located in the walls of the organ. They conduct a signal to the brain, indicating that the bubble is already full.
Diseases in men
Due to the peculiarities of the location of the organ, its disorders are more common in women. As a rule, in the male half of the population, the bladder suffers due to diseases of other systems. Prostatitis, for example, causes an enlarged prostate that blocks the urinary tract.
Nevertheless, cystitis, urolithiasis, cancer, tuberculosis, and leukoplakia can disrupt the function of the bladder. Symptoms vividly indicate abnormal functioning of the organ, itching, burning, various unpleasant sensations, discoloration, transparency and pressure of urine, "double urination", etc.
One disorder is overactive bladder syndrome. During this disease, the urge to urinate occurs even with a small amount of urine in the bladder. Sometimes it leads to incontinence. The cause of the syndrome is a pathology in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Diseases in women
Violation of the functions of the bladder in women is largely due to the proximity of the organ to the reproductive system. The range of diseases here is expanding significantly. So, microbes and viruses from the genitals easily pass into the urethra, and from there into the bladder itself.
In addition to general pathologies, specifically in women, endometriosis is quite common. It develops in the uterus or ovaries and spreads to the urinary system. The main symptoms include pain during urination, frequent urge to go to the toilet, heaviness in the lower abdomen, which becomes stronger during menstruation.
A common disease is also cystitis. It is an inflammation of the urinary system and is accompanied by pain in the bladder, frequent urination or incontinence, turbid urine, and sometimes fever.
Prevention
It is quite difficult to completely protect yourself from all diseases. But a number of simple actions will serve as a good prevention, so as not to expose oneself to troubles once again. In order not to disturb the function of the bladder, first of all, do not supercool the legs and organs of the small pelvis.
When playing sports, you can include exercises that enhance blood circulation in the pelvis and thus activate the work of all its organs.
To maintain your health, you should consult a doctor in time for discomfort and pain. Even in their absence, you need to check at least once a year. An excellent prevention of many diseases is good sleep, relaxation, a balanced diet and an established life rhythm.