Definition

Noun: A muscular, membranous sac in the pelvis that stores urine produced by the kidneys until it is excreted from the body through the urethra.

Usage

The term "urinary bladder" is used in anatomical, medical, and biological contexts to refer specifically to this organ. It is a standard, formal term. * The urinary bladder expands as it fills with urine. * A common infection of the urinary bladder is called cystitis. * The ultrasound showed a stone in the urinary bladder.

Advanced Usage

• Bladder capacity: Refers to the maximum volume of urine the bladder can hold.
• Neurogenic bladder: A condition where bladder control is impaired due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve problem.
• Bladder wall: The layered structure (mucosa, muscularis, serosa/adventitia) that makes up the sac.

Variants and Related Words

• Bladder (n): The common, shortened form of "urinary bladder" used in general and medical contexts (e.g., "an overactive bladder"). Note: "Bladder" can also refer to other sac-like structures in biology (e.g., gall bladder, swim bladder in fish).
• Vesical (adj): The medical adjective relating to the urinary bladder (e.g., vesical arteries).
• Cysto-: A prefix meaning "bladder" or "sac," used in medical terms (e.g., cystoscopy: a procedure to look inside the bladder).

Synonyms

• Bladder (the primary synonym, though context-dependent)

Related Phrases/Idioms

(There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically for "urinary bladder." The shortened form "bladder" appears in informal expressions.) * To have a weak bladder: An informal phrase meaning to need to urinate frequently or with little warning.

Noun

1. a membranous sac for temporary retention of urine