Kusepõie

Kusepõie is the Estonian word for the urinary bladder. It is a hollow, muscular organ in the pelvis that stores urine produced by the kidneys before it is expelled from the body through the urethra. The bladder's lining is made of transitional epithelium, which can stretch to accommodate varying amounts of urine. The muscular wall of the bladder, known as the detrusor muscle, contracts to empty the bladder during urination.

The process of urination, or micturition, is controlled by both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems. When the bladder fills, stretch receptors in its walls send signals to the brain, creating the urge to urinate. The brain then signals the detrusor muscle to contract and the internal and external urethral sphincters to relax, allowing urine to flow out.

Conditions affecting the kusepõie can include infections (cystitis), stones, tumors, and overactive bladder syndrome, which causes frequent and urgent urination. These conditions can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Medical evaluation and treatment are often necessary to address bladder dysfunction.