Pelvic Muscles

There are muscles everywhere, even in the floor of the pelvis. Here they support the intestines and urinary bladder, and they act as sphincters (circular closing muscles) around the urethra, vagina and rectum.

The model shows the lower urinary tract, made up of the bladder and urethra. The bladder, urethra and pelvic floor are muscles that control when the bladder is emptied. For this to work, the different functions are controlled by cooperation in the nerve system we do not control ourselves. It is known as the parasympathetic nervous system. The bladder wall contains receptors that feel when the bladder fills with urine and expands. Signals are sent to the brain which causes an unconscious reflex to start peeing.

Pee is controlled both voluntarily and involuntarily. When we feel like we need to pee – and the time is right – the smooth muscles of the bladder wall squeeze together. At the same time, the smooth muscle cells around the inner opening of urethra relax and we can pee.

Here, you can learn more about the pelvic ligaments!