Anatomy of Urinary Bladder

Question 1

What is the structure of an empty bladder?

Answer 1

There are Apex, Base and 3 surfaces (Superior, right and left inferolateral)

Question 2

Relations of the base of the urinary bladder in males.

Answer 2

Posteriorly:
- Rectum
- Separated from the rectum by the recto-vesical pouch, seminal vesical, and ampulla of vas deferens

Question 3

Relations of the base of the urinary bladder in females.

Answer 3

Posteriorly:
- The upper part of the anterior wall of the vagina

Question 4

Relations of the superior surface of the urinary bladder in males.

Answer 4

Superiorly:
- Sigmoid colon
- Loops of ileum

Question 4

Relations of the superior surface of the urinary bladder in females.

Answer 4

Superiorly:
- Uterovesical pouch
- Vesical surface of the uterus
- Cervix

Question 5

Relations of the inferolateral surface of the urinary bladder.

Answer 5

Anteriorly:
- Pubis, retro-pubic fat, retro-pubic space
Laterally:
- Levator ani
- Obturator internus

Question 6

The neck of the bladder relations.

Answer 6

In males:
- It is continuous with the urethra and rests on the prostate.
In females:
- It is continuous with the urethra and rests on the pelvic fascia (fascia that covers the levator ani

Question 7

What is present at the junction of the neck with the urethra?

Answer 7

Sphincter Vesicae (internal urethral sphincter)

Question 8

Blood supply to the urinary bladder.

Answer 8

In males:
Superior and Inferior Vesical artery (anterior branch of internal iliac artery)
In females:
Superior Vesical artery and vaginal arteries

Question 9

Venous drainage of the urinary bladder.

Answer 9

Vesical plexus which drains into the internal iliac vein.
In males:
The vesical plexus communicates with the prostatic plexus
In females:
The vesical plexus communicates with the vaginal plexus

Question 10

Lymphatic drainage of the urinary bladder.

Answer 10

Superolateral surface -> external iliac lymph nodes
The neck -> sacral lymph nodes
Rest of the bladder -> internal iliac lymph nodes

Question 11

Nerve Supply of the Urinary Bladder

Answer 11

Vesical nerve plexus:
- Parasympathetic fibres (S2,3,4) -> Stimulates the detrusor muscle and inhibits the sphincter -> produces micturition
- Sympathetic fibres (T12, L1, L2) -> inhibits the detrusor muscle and contracts the sphincter -> inhibits micturition

Question 12

What are the ligaments of the bladder?

Answer 12

• Median umbilical ligament -> apex to anterior ligament
• Pubo-prostatic and pubo-vesical -> from the body of the pubis to the neck of the bladder and prostate
• Lateral ligaments of the bladder -> from the side of the bladder to the pelvic side wall.