Final answer:
The urinary bladder is the structure that stores urine prior to micturition. It is a hollow, muscular organ lined with transitional epithelium that expands to store varying volumes of urine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure that stores urine prior to micturition is the urinary bladder. This hollow, muscular organ rests on the pelvic floor and collects urine from the kidneys via the ureters before it is eventually eliminated through the urethra. The bladder has a unique transitional epithelium lining that allows it to expand and accommodate varying volumes of urine. Micturition, or the act of urinating, involves the release of urine from the bladder through the internal urethral sphincter into the urethra, from where it exits the body.