Since you asked------
The normal bladder can be emptied completely, and normally, it is. In fact,
a residual urine of any more than a small amount (5-10cc) indicates a
problem!--Remember - the bladder is a muscular- walled reservoir. Once the
sphincter is relaxed, the bladder expells urine under pressure--That's how
you can "pee" uphill, while lying down.

One of the problems in prostate enlargement is that the sphincter is tightly
contracted if you try to "hold it" (like to the end of the movie, 500k, ball
game, opera or whatever. It becomes more sensitive to neurologic commands to
tighten, and takes longer to relax. So a person with this problem might find
a slow starting, weak, stream--get tired of waiting and only drain the
bladder partially. With reduced pressure in the bladder, in a little while
the sphincter relaxes more and the urge to go returns. This time, the stream
starts easier, quicker, and is more forceful, with greater volume---then,
the bladder can empty completely.

The "moral" of the story--if you have a prostate problem, go early!--BTW-If
you don't want to drill holes in your glider, and you want something easy,
use a condom catheter with a tubing to a 1 gal plastic bag, with shredded
Depends, or to a 1 or 2 liter soft drink bottle (the plastic kind)---just
stick the hose in and go!
--
Hartley Falbaum
"Jack" wrote in message
. net...
jcarlyle wrote:

Jack, this question would be best answered by Hartley - I'm a physicist,
not a physician. But since we're talking 60-75% full in the above
example, I imagine there would be some capacity left - YMMV. The wild
card is the individual himself - as has been pointed out the prostrate
gland in males starts enlarging above age 50, affecting the bladder, urge
and ability to go.

OK, Hartley we're standing by to receive....


Jack