What is the role of the bladder in the urinary system?

The bladder plays a crucial role in the urinary system primarily as a reservoir for urine. Its primary function is to store urine produced by the kidneys until it is appropriate to expel it from the body. The bladder's muscular walls allow it to expand as it fills with urine, accommodating varying amounts of fluid. When it is time to urinate, the bladder contracts, expelling urine through the urethra. This storage function is essential for regulating the release of urine, allowing for the control of urination and maintaining fluid balance in the body.

In contrast, filtering and producing urine is the role of the kidneys, which remove waste and excess substances from the blood. Transporting urine from the kidneys is the function of the ureters, which are tubes that carry urine from each kidney to the bladder. Absorbing nutrients from urine is not a function of the urinary system; urine is primarily a waste product. Thus, the role of the bladder as a storage organ is vital to the overall functioning of the urinary system.