The bladder is a sac-like organ composed of musculomembranous fiber. Located in the pelvis, the bladder stores urine until it is excreted. The urine is passed to the bladder through ureters from each kidney in peristaltic waves. During excretion, the urethral orifice below the bladder is opened and the urine passes through the urethra. Though the urge to void the bladder of urine generally occurs when it has about 250 - 300 milliliters in it, the average human bladder can hold almost twice this amount. An average human excretes one to two liters of urine per day, though this is greatly dependent upon the health, diet, and level of activity of the adult. Ingested water usually is excreted within four hours of ingestion. Urine is usually clear or yellow, though this depends upon the diet and health of the individual. Urine has a distinct, ammonia-like smell which is primarily due to the nitrogenous wastes which make up 5% of the urine. The chief constituent of these wastes is urea, though ammonia, uric acid, creatinine, and a host of other waste products also are present. Research Bladder
Abbreviations
Medicine
Research Bladder