Which is a function of the bladder?

The bladder primarily serves the function of holding urine until it is ready to be excreted from the body. It is a muscular sac located in the pelvis, and its structure allows it to expand and contract as it fills with urine produced by the kidneys. Once the bladder reaches a certain level of fullness, nerve signals prompt the urge to urinate, and the bladder contracts to expel the urine through the urethra.

Understanding this function helps clarify the roles of other organs. The process of digestion is managed by the gastrointestinal tract, not the bladder. Bile, produced by the liver, is stored in the gallbladder and plays a crucial role in digestion, particularly in the emulsification of fats. Blood cell production occurs primarily in the bone marrow, not in the bladder. Therefore, the function of the bladder as a storage organ for urine is essential in the urinary system and distinguishes it clearly from the roles of other bodily systems and organs.