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> Bladder
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The bladder is a hollow organ whose purpose is storing and voiding urine. It is situated in the pelvis, behind the pelvic bone, and usually has a capacity of 350-350 ml. The bladder is connected with the kidney via the ureter, though which urine drains regularly into the bladder. Bladder function is regulated by the brain and spinal cord, which enables the bladder to store urine. With gradual filling the bladder expands, which causes the urge to urinate (which can be suppressed if needed). If the bladder is full, micturition starts and the bladder is emptied completely. The bladder is covered inside by a mucous membrane, the so-called urothelium, which covers the urinary tract from the kidney via ureter, bladder, prostate, and urethra.
Diseases of this mucous tissue can be detected by visible, but sometimes only microscopically small amounts of blood in the urine (haematuria). If this occurs, a urologist should be consulted immediately. If the bladder is affected, treatment can usually be initiated and the bladder retained. In case the bladder needs to be removed, a substitute “pouch” can be reconstructed from gut tissue. Artificial bladders do currently not exist, but over the next 10 years many major innovations may be expected. |
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