What is the primary function of the bladder?

The primary function of the bladder is to hold urine. As urine is produced in the kidneys through the filtration of blood, it travels down the ureters and is stored in the bladder until the body is ready to expel it. The bladder is equipped with elastic walls, allowing it to expand as it fills with urine. When the bladder reaches a certain level of fullness, nerve signals prompt the urge to urinate, leading to the voluntary release of urine through the urethra.

Understanding the bladder's role is essential in the context of the urinary system, emphasizing its importance in managing the body's fluid and waste levels. The processes of filtering waste from blood, producing urine, and regulating blood pressure are functions carried out by other organs in the body, notably the kidneys and hormones, rather than the bladder itself.