• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Inside the bladder
  • Anatomy and physiology of the bladder
    • Anatomy of the bladder
    • Physiology of the bladder
  • Medical procedures for a SCI bladder
    • Urodynamic study
    • Cystoscopy
    • Sphincterotomy
    • Cystolitholapaxy
    • Bladder augmentation
    • Urethral dilatation
  • Medications and other products you may be prescribed
    • Alpha blockers
    • Anticholinergics
    • Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX)
    • Hiprex and vitamin C
    • Cranberry
    • E. Coli
  • Common medical tests for a SCI bladder
    • Urine specimen
    • Fluid balance diary
    • Renal ultrasound
    • CT- Kidneys, ureters, and bladder (KUB)

    Anatomy of the bladder

    lower torso
    lower torso

    Kidneys

    Your kidneys are two bean shaped organs that act as filters for your blood. The kidneys remove waste (urine) but also make sure some fluid is kept in your body so you don’t dehydrate.

    Ureters

    Once the blood is filtered and urine is produced, the kidneys need somewhere for the urine to go. There is a small tube connected to each kidney called a ureter. The ureters allow urine to drain into your bladder which is where the urine is collected.

    Bladder

    The bladder is like a bag made of muscle that collects urine so your body can get rid of it at a proper time. The main muscle in the bladder is known as the detrusor muscle.

    The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the outside world. There are two valves (sphincters), the internal sphincter and the external sphincter. The internal is normally controlled by your nervous system automatically (autonomic), and your external sphincter is controlled by you (voluntary).

    Urethra and sphincters

    The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the outside world. The average length of a male urethra is around 20cm. In comparison,  a woman’s urethra is 4cm. There are two valves (sphincters), the internal sphincter and the external sphincter. The internal is normally controlled by your nervous system automatically (autonomic), and your external sphincter is controlled by you (voluntary). The male urethra also passes through the prostate.

    urethra and sphincters
    urethra and sphincters

    Anatomy and physiology of the bladder
    Physiology of the bladder

    Before Footer

    Quick links

    • Bladder types
    • Starting with catheters
    • Problems
    • Life hacks
    • Inside the bladder
    • Equipment

    About this resource

    This web resource is part of a research project to improve bladder management at the Austin, by increasing the use of intermittent catheterisation.

    The research project is funded by TAC.

    Submit your feedback

    Thumbs Up Bladder Man

    Footer

    This research project is brought to you by

    Austin Health
    TAC
    ISCRR
    WorkSafe

    Contacts

    Austin Health
    03 9496 5000
    Victorian Spinal Cord Service
    03 9496 5220
    Spinal Urology Nurse
    03 9496 5904
    spinalurologynurse@austin.org.au
    VSCS outpatient Nurse
    03 9496 5176
    vscsoutpatients@austin.org.au

    Disclaimer

    This information has been developed for Austin Health use and has been specifically designed for Austin Health. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. Austin Health accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed on this website. Written information should only be used in conjunction with advice from the health professional who is looking after you.

    Copyright © 2023 · My Bladder My Life on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

     

    Loading Comments...
     

    You must be logged in to post a comment.