Organs of the Pelvis

There are many organs of the pelvis. The majority of the urinary system resides in the pelvis, including the ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.

The ureters sit either side of the spine and transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. To do this, they have to travel from the abdominal cavity into the pelvis, as they pass over the pelvic brim.

The urinary bladder sits centrally in the pelvis and stores urine before it is passed. It is a highly distensible organ, and can stretch superiorly to contain roughly half a litre of fluid. It has a muscular wall as well as two muscular sphincters, found inferiorly. These sphincters carry out the bladder’s second function, assisting in the expulsion of urine.

The urethra transports urine from the bladder to its external opening in the floor of the pelvis. The urethra varies in anatomy between males and females. The female urethra only spans a short distance to reach the perineum. However, the route of the male urethra is longer, as it passes through the prostate and corpus spongiosum of the penis.

In this section, learn more about some of the organs of the pelvis, including the ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.