Chapter 18: Problem 14

Describe the function of rugae and the detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder. (p. 429)

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The function of rugae is to allow the bladder to expand by flattening out as it fills with urine, accommodating increasing volumes of urine. The detrusor muscle's primary function is to contract and expel urine from the bladder during urination. Rugae contribute to urine storage, while the detrusor muscle ensures its controlled release, maintaining a healthy urinary system.

Step by step solution

Understanding the urinary bladder

The urinary bladder is a muscular, hollow organ that stores urine temporarily before it's excreted from the body. Two significant features are the rugae and the detrusor muscle.

Rugae

Rugae are folds or ridges found in the inner lining (mucosa) of the urinary bladder. These structures allow the bladder to expand and contract, accommodating the varying amounts of urine it holds.

Function of rugae

The primary function of rugae is to allow the bladder to expand. When the urinary bladder is empty, the rugae are prominent and allow the lining of the bladder to collapse, creating a small, compact shape. As the bladder fills with urine, the rugae flatten out, allowing the bladder to progressively expand and accommodate increasing volumes of urine.

Detrusor muscle

The detrusor muscle is the smooth muscle found in the walls of the urinary bladder. It is arranged in three layers: an inner longitudinal layer, a middle circular layer, and an outer longitudinal layer.

Function of the detrusor muscle

The primary function of the detrusor muscle is to contract to expel urine from the bladder during the process of urination. When the bladder is full, nerve signals from the central nervous system trigger the detrusor muscle to contract, increasing the pressure within the bladder and pushing urine out through the urethra.

Connection between rugae and the detrusor muscle

The rugae and detrusor muscle work together to maintain proper functioning of the urinary bladder. Rugae contribute to the storage of urine by allowing the bladder to expand, while the detrusor muscle contracts to expel the stored urine during urination. These structures ensure the efficient and controlled storage and release of urine, maintaining a healthy urinary system.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Describe the function of rugae and the detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder. (p. 429)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the urinary bladder

Rugae

Function of rugae

Detrusor muscle

Function of the detrusor muscle

Connection between rugae and the detrusor muscle

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Microbiology

Organ Systems

Biological Molecules

Communicable Diseases

Biological Processes

Ecological Levels

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.