Children’s continence products - A guide for parents and children (view report contents)
How the bladder and bowel work
The bladder is a pear-shaped stretchy sac made of muscles. It stores
urine which is made in the kidneys. When the bladder is full - this amount
varies for everyone - it tells the brain it needs emptying. The brain
tells your bladder to hold on until you are ready, when the bladder muscles
contract to squeeze out all the urine. At the same time the urethra relaxes,
and the urine flows out.
The bowel is a muscular tube, which takes the nourishment from the food
and carries the waste (as stools) to the back passage. Messages are sent
between the brain and bowel until you are ready. Then the band of muscles
(anal sphincter) around the bowel outlet (anus) relaxes, and the stools
are pushed out through the anus. The frequency of bowel movements varies
and does not matter as long as the stools are soft, well formed and easy
to pass.
Brain - sends messages to and from the bladder and bowel
Ureters - tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder
Spinal cord - carries the messages
Kidneys - produce urine
Pelvic floor - muscles which support the bladder and
bowel
Bladder - stores urine
Urethra - tube leading from the bladder to outside the
body
Bowel - stores faeces
Report Contents
What’s this guide about?
What can the products do?
Where can you get help?
About the products
Products for the toilet
Alternatives to the toilet
Protecting the bed
Disposable and washable pads
Underwear for boys and girls
Specialist products
Smells and stains
How the bladder and bowel work
Useful information
