What organ temporarily stores urine before it is eliminated from the body?

The urinary bladder is the correct answer because it serves as a reservoir for urine produced by the kidneys. As urine is formed in the kidneys, it travels down the ureters to the bladder, where it can be stored until the body is ready to eliminate it. The bladder has the capacity to hold a significant amount of urine and contains muscular walls that stretch as it fills. When the bladder reaches a certain level of fullness, it sends signals to the brain indicating the need to urinate, allowing for controlled release of urine through the urethra.

The kidneys, while essential for urine production and filtration of blood, do not store urine. They perform the function of filtering waste and excess substances from the blood to form urine. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body; it does not store urine. The prostate gland is involved in male reproductive function and contributes to seminal fluid but is not involved in urine storage.