What condition is characterized by the herniation of the bladder into the vagina?

The condition characterized by the herniation of the bladder into the vagina is known as cystourethrocele. This occurs when the bladder and sometimes the urethra protrude into the anterior wall of the vagina, usually due to weakness in the supporting tissues. As a result, a bulge may be felt or seen in the vagina, which can lead to urinary symptoms such as difficulty emptying the bladder or increased urgency.

Understanding this condition is essential for surgical assistants, as it can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life and may require surgical intervention to repair the underlying pelvic floor defects. The terms associated with other options may cause confusion; for instance, enterocele refers to the herniation of the small intestine into the vaginal space and is a different type of pelvic organ prolapse. Urethral diverticulum involves a bulging of the urethra and does not typically manifest as bladder herniation. Vaginal atrophy pertains to the thinning of the vaginal walls and is not directly related to hernias. Therefore, cystourethrocele is distinctly recognized for the bladder's descent into the vaginal space.