þvagblöðran

Þvagblöðran is the Icelandic word for the urinary bladder. It is a hollow, muscular organ that is part of the urinary system. The urinary bladder's primary function is to store urine produced by the kidneys before it is eliminated from the body through the urethra.

The bladder is located in the pelvis, behind the pubic bone. It is a flexible organ that can expand considerably to hold urine. The inner lining of the bladder is made up of transitional epithelium, which allows it to stretch. The muscular wall of the bladder, called the detrusor muscle, contracts to expel urine during urination.

When the bladder fills with urine, stretch receptors in its walls send signals to the brain, creating the sensation of needing to urinate. The process of urination, also known as micturition, is a reflex that can be consciously controlled. When a person decides to urinate, the brain signals the detrusor muscle to contract and the sphincter muscles at the base of the bladder to relax, allowing urine to flow out through the urethra.

Several conditions can affect the bladder, including infections (cystitis), inflammation, stones, and various types of cancer. Problems with bladder control, such as incontinence, can also occur due to nerve damage, muscle weakness, or other medical issues.