The kidneys constantly produce urine, which flows through two tubes (the ureters) to the bladder, where urine is stored. The lowest part of the bladder (the neck) is encircled by a muscle (the urinary sphincter) that remains contracted to close off the channel that carries urine out of the body (the urethra), so that urine is retained in the bladder until it is full.

When the bladder is full, messages travel along nerves from the bladder to the spinal cord. The messages are then relayed to the brain, and the person becomes aware of the urge to urinate. A person who has control of urination can consciously and voluntarily decide whether to release the urine from the bladder or to hold it for a while. When the decision is made to urinate, the sphincter muscle relaxes, allowing urine to flow out through the urethra, and the bladder wall muscles contract to push the urine out. Muscles in the abdominal wall and floor of the pelvis can be contracted voluntarily to increase the pressure on the bladder.

Last full review/revision December 2012 by Patrick J. Shenot, MD