» The Bladder and Female Urethra

The empty bladder is a small, firm ovoid structure placed over the pubic pecten (Fig. 35.2/5 and 5'). When full, the bladder extends over the abdominal floor, sometimes up to the umbilicus. It becomes spherical when grossly distended. The bladder is wholly covered in peritoneum, which continues into paired recesses below the urethra. A small suburethral diverticulum (Fig. 35.2/6), associated with the opening of the urethra into the vestibule, may interfere with catheterization of the bladder.