Urinary bladder

The urinary bladder (more commonly just called the bladder) is a distal part of the urinary tract and is an extraperitoneal structure located in the true pelvis. Its primary function is as a reservoir for urine. 

Gross anatomy

The bladder has a triangular shape with a posterior base, an anterior apex and an inferior neck with two inferolateral surfaces. It is lined with a rough, trabeculated transitional cell epithelium except at the trigone.

The trigone is a triangular area of smooth mucosa found on the internal surface of the base. The superolateral angles are formed by the ureteric orifices and the inferior angle is formed by the internal urethral orifice.

The urethra arises from the neck of the bladder and is surrounded by the internal urethral sphincter.

As the bladder fills with urine it becomes ovoid in shape and extends superiorly into the abdominal cavity. Contraction is facilitated by the detrusor muscle.

Arterial supply

• superior and inferior vesical arteries (from anterior division of internal iliac artery)

Venous drainage

• male: vesical and prostatic venous plexus via similarly named veins to the internal iliac veins and internal vertebral veins
• female: vesical and uterovaginal plexuses draining into the internal iliac vein

Lymphatic drainage

• accompanies blood vessels to the internal iliac lymph and para-aortic nodes

Innervation^3,4

• Autonomic innervation
  • from the vesical nerve plexus (composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers)
    • Sympathetic: reach the pelvic and subsequently the vesical plexus via hypogastric nerves (from the inferior mesenteric ganglion which in turn is supplied by the lumbar splanchnic nerves from the sympathetic lumbar outflow)
    • Parasympathetic: reach the pelvic and subsequently the vesical plexus via pelvic splanchnic nerves (from the parasympathetic fromsacral outflow)
  • Somatic innervation is via the pudendal nerves
  • The hypogastric, pelvic splanchnic and inferior hypogastricpudendal nerves
  • sensory fibres follow parasympathetic nerves all have afferent components

  For an account of the functional anatomy of micturition, refer to bladder neuroanatomy.

  Relations - male

  • anteriorly: pubic symphysis
  • posteriorly: rectovesical pouch and rectum
  • inferiorly: prostate, obturator internus muscle, levator ani muscle
  • superiorly: peritoneum
  • laterally: ischioanal fossa

  Relations - female ²

  • anteriorly: pubic symphysis
  • posteriorly: vesicouterine pouch, uterus, cervix, vagina
  • inferiorly: pelvic fascia, perineal membrane
  • superiorly: uterus, peritoneum
  • laterally: ischioanal fossa

  Variant anatomy

  • double bladder: receives ipsilateral ureter and has separate urethra
  • septation: septum may divide the bladder internally into two or more compartments
  • agenesis: persistence of the cloaca
  • ureterocoele: dilation of the intravesical part of the ureter

  Radiological appearance

  Plain radiography

  The bladder may be seen as a rounded soft tissue mass ¹.

  Fluoroscopy

  Cystography can be performed where the bladder is filled with contrast either via an antegrade or retrograde technique.

  Ultrasound

  Bladder wall is best assessed with this modality - it should not exceed 3-5 mm in thickness. Ureteric jets can be assessed using colour Doppler ultrasound ¹.

  MRI

  • T1W: bladder wall and contents are homogeneous low signal
  • T2W: bladder wall is low signal and urine is high signal, allowing for contrast between the two ¹

  Related pathology

  • urinary bladder diverticulum
  • urinary bladder hernia
  • urinary bladder rupture
  • bladder cancer
    • transitional cell carcinoma
    • squamous cell carcinoma