The bladder is a stretchy, hollow organ located in the lower part of the abdomen that stores urine until it leaves the body. It is part of the urinary system, which works with the kidneys to rid the body of waste products through urine. The bladder is held in place by ligaments that are attached to other organs and the pelvic bones. In men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB), the bladder rests between the pubic bone in the front and the rectum in the back. In women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB), it rests in front of the vagina and uterus. When you use the restroom, muscles in your bladder contract (tighten) and sphincter muscles in your urethra relax, allowing urine to flow out of your body. The typical healthy adult bladder can store up to two cups of urine for two to five hours.
In summary, the bladder stores urine until it is ready to be emptied, and it is an important part of the urinary system that works with the kidneys to rid the body of waste products.
