The walls of the urinary bladder consist of __ muscle tissue.
A cardiac
B smooth
C skeletal
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B) smooth.
The walls of the urinary bladder consist of smooth muscle tissue, specifically a type called detrusor muscle. Smooth muscle is an involuntary muscle tissue found in various internal organs, including the bladder. Unlike skeletal muscle, which is voluntary and allows conscious control of movement, smooth muscle operates automatically without conscious control. This is crucial for functions such as the contraction and relaxation of the bladder during the process of urination.
The detrusor muscle contracts to push urine out of the bladder during urination, a process regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The bladder’s smooth muscle allows it to expand as it fills with urine and then contract to expel urine when the bladder reaches its capacity. The contraction of the detrusor muscle is influenced by signals from the brain, which indicate when it is time to void the bladder.
In contrast, cardiac muscle tissue is found in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood. Cardiac muscle shares some similarities with smooth muscle, such as being involuntary, but it is structurally different. Skeletal muscle, on the other hand, is voluntary and found attached to bones for movement. It is under conscious control and is not involved in the functioning of the bladder.
Smooth muscle in the urinary bladder is essential for maintaining the function of the lower urinary tract, helping to store urine until it is appropriate to release it and ensuring the efficient expulsion of urine from the body.