Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

At which vertebral levels can you find the bladder?

1. T10-L1

2. L1-L2

3. T12

4. T8-T10

The correct answer is: T10-L1

The bladder is primarily innervated by the autonomic nervous system, specifically by sympathetic innervation originating from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. The relevant sympathetic fibers arise from the T11 to L2 levels, with the most significant input being around T10 to L1. This is where the sympathetic outflow that influences bladder function is located. The T10-L1 range encompasses the sympathetic nerves that contribute to the bladder's innervation, which is crucial for regulating its function, including detrusor muscle contraction and sphincter relaxation. Other options present specific levels that do not wholly encompass the critical areas associated with bladder control and function. For instance, L1-L2 captures only part of the relevant sympathetic outflow, while T12 and T8-T10 do not capture the complete range of innervation responsible for bladder activity. Thus, the correct answer reflects the broader range necessary for explaining the complete innervation and physiological regulation of the bladder.