The ureter is a tube-like structure that carries urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

It
is subject to certain anatomical constrictions, or narrowings, along its course. There are
three main constrictions in the ureter:

1. Ureteropelvic Junction (UPJ) Constriction: This is the first constriction located at the
junction between the renal pelvis (the expanded upper part of the ureter) and the ureter
itself.

2. Ureterovesical Junction (UVJ) Constriction: This is the second constriction located at the
junction between the ureter and the urinary bladder. It is also known as the ureterovesical
valve.

3. Intramural Constriction: This is the third constriction within the wall of the urinary bladder.
It occurs where the ureter passes through the bladder wall and enters the bladder cavity.

The blood supply of the ureter comes from several sources. The upper part of the ureter
receives its blood supply from branches of the renal artery, which is the main artery
supplying the kidneys. The middle part of the ureter is supplied by branches of the common
iliac artery, while the lower part receives its blood supply from branches of the internal iliac
artery.

The urinary bladder is supported by ligaments that help maintain its position within the
pelvis. In males, the bladder is connected to the pubic bone by the puboprostatic ligament. In
females, the bladder is connected to the pubic bone by the pubovesical ligament.

The trigone is a triangular area located within the urinary bladder. It is formed by the two
ureteric orifices (the openings of the ureters into the bladder) and the internal urethral orifice
(the opening of the urethra into the bladder). The trigone is important because it helps
prevent reflux of urine back into the ureters.

The bladder has four surfaces: anterior, posterior, and two lateral surfaces. The anterior
surface is located towards the front of the body and is in contact with the pubic bone. The
posterior surface is located towards the back of the body and is in contact with the rectum in
males and the uterus in females. The lateral surfaces are located on the sides of the bladder.

The bladder has a unique shape. The apex of the bladder is the topmost part, which is
directed towards the pubic bone. The body is the main part of the bladder, located between
the apex and the neck. The neck of the bladder is the narrowest part, which connects to the
urethra. The fundus is the base of the bladder, which rests on the pelvic floor muscles.

Bladder layers:
The bladder is an organ located in the lower abdomen that stores urine. It consists of several
layers, including:

1. Mucosa: The innermost layer of the bladder, composed of specialized cells that allow for
stretching and prevent urine from leaking into the bladder wall.
2. Submucosa: This layer provides support to the mucosa and contains blood vessels and
nerves.

3. Muscularis: The muscular layer of the bladder is responsible for the contraction and
relaxation of the bladder during the filling and emptying of urine. It consists of smooth muscle
fibers.

4. Adventitia/Serosa: The outermost layer of the bladder, which serves as a protective

covering and connects the bladder to surrounding tissues.

Full and empty bladder:

A full bladder refers to a state in which the bladder is completely filled with urine. This occurs
when the bladder has reached its maximum capacity for holding urine. A person may
experience the sensation of needing to urinate when their bladder is full. Emptying the
bladder through urination helps relieve this sensation.

Conversely, an empty bladder is one that has been completely emptied of urine. This occurs
after the urine has been expelled from the bladder through the urethra. An empty bladder is
typically more comfortable and allows for the storage of new urine.

Male urethra 4 parts:

The male urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It
also serves as a passage for semen during ejaculation. The male urethra can be divided into
four parts:

1. Preprostatic urethra: This is the initial part of the urethra that lies within the prostate gland.

2. Prostatic urethra: This part of the urethra passes through the prostate gland and receives
secretions from the prostate.

3. Membranous urethra: The membranous urethra is a short segment that passes through
the urogenital diaphragm, a muscular structure that separates the pelvic cavity from the
perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus).

4. Spongy (penile) urethra: The spongy urethra is the longest part of the male urethra. It
passes through the penis and extends from the urogenital diaphragm to the external opening
at the tip of the penis (known as the meatus).

Navicular fossa:
The navicular fossa is a term used in anatomy to describe a small depression or hollow area.
It specifically refers to a depression located within the glans penis, the rounded tip of the
penis. The navicular fossa is also known as the "coronal sulcus" and is the area where the
glans penis meets the shaft of the penis.

Rectovesical pouch:
The rectovesical pouch is a small peritoneal cavity or space that is found in males. It is
located between the rectum (the end of the large intestine) and the urinary bladder. In
females, a similar space called the rectouterine pouch is present between the rectum and
the uterus. These pouches are important anatomical landmarks for surgical procedures and
diagnostic evaluations in the pelvis.