Urinary Bladder-Uterus

Urinary Bladder

In adults, the empty bladder is a pelvic organ and lies posterior to the symphysis pubis. As the bladder fills, it rises up out of the pelvis into the abdomen, where it can be palpated through the anterior abdominal wall above the symphysis pubis (Fig. 6.23). The peritoneum covering the distended bladder becomes peeled off from the anterior abdominal wall so that the front of the bladder is in direct contact with the abdominal wall (see page 272).

In children, until the age of 6 years, the bladder is an abdominal organ even when empty because the capacity of the pelvic cavity is not great enough to contain it. The neck of the bladder lies just below the level of the upper border of the symphysis pubis.

Uterus

the fundus of the uterus can be palpated at the end of the 2nd month of pregnancy, through the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall. With the progressive enlargement of the uterus, the fundus rises above the level of the umbilicus and reaches the region of the xiphoid process by the 9th month of pregnancy. Later, when the presenting part of the fetus, usually the head, descends into the pelvis, the fundus of the uterus also descends.