Physiology
The journey of urine
Updated: 3 October 2026
Understand through movement
The Ureters, Bladder, and Urethra
Merck Manual Consumer Version · Video in English
Subject illustration · NIDDK / NIH
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01The role
Kidneys make urine; the bladder stores it before release through the urethra.
02The mechanism
Ureters propel urine to the bladder by contractions. They differ from the urethra, which carries urine outside.
03Coordination
The bladder normally stays compliant while filling and then contracts to empty.
04Key point
Urinary difficulty can arise at different levels; the perceived location of pain does not always locate its cause.
Medical references
This general information does not replace a consultation. Tests and treatments are selected for each individual; they are not a routine checklist.
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