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Urology is the surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological disorders. The organs covered by urology include the kidney
Kidney

The kidneys are Organ that have numerous biological roles. Their primary role is to maintain the homeostasis balance of bodily fluids by filtering and secreting Metabolomics#Metabolitess and minerals from the blood and excreting them, along with water , as urine....
s, ureter
Ureter

In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular ducts that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long....
s, urinary bladder
Urinary bladder

In anatomy, the urinary bladder is a solid, muscle, and distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor in mammals. It is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys prior to disposal by urination....
, urethra
Urethra

In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. The urethra has an excretory function in both sexes to pass urine to the outside, and also a reproductive function in the male, as a passage for semen....
, and the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis
Epididymis

The epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male mammals. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens....
, vas deferens
Vas deferens

The vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, is part of the male anatomy of some species; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
, seminal vesicle
Seminal vesicle

The seminal vesicles are a pair of simple tubular glands posteroinferior to the urinary bladder of males....
s, prostate
Prostate

The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system. Females do not have a prostate gland, although females do have tiny paraurethral Skene's glands connected to the distal third of the urethra in the prevaginal space that are homologous to the prostate....
 and penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
).

In men, the urinary system overlaps with the reproductive system
Reproductive system

The reproductive system is a system of Organ within an organism which work together for the purpose of reproduction. Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also important accessories to the reproductive system....
, and in women the urinary tract opens into the vulva
Vulva

The vulva refers to the external sex organ of the female. In colloquial speech, the term vagina is often used to refer to the female genitals generally, although, strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure, whereas the vulva is the whole exterior genitalia....
.






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Urology is the surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological disorders. The organs covered by urology include the kidney
Kidney

The kidneys are Organ that have numerous biological roles. Their primary role is to maintain the homeostasis balance of bodily fluids by filtering and secreting Metabolomics#Metabolitess and minerals from the blood and excreting them, along with water , as urine....
s, ureter
Ureter

In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular ducts that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long....
s, urinary bladder
Urinary bladder

In anatomy, the urinary bladder is a solid, muscle, and distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor in mammals. It is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys prior to disposal by urination....
, urethra
Urethra

In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. The urethra has an excretory function in both sexes to pass urine to the outside, and also a reproductive function in the male, as a passage for semen....
, and the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis
Epididymis

The epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male mammals. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens....
, vas deferens
Vas deferens

The vas deferens , also called ductus deferens, is part of the male anatomy of some species; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation....
, seminal vesicle
Seminal vesicle

The seminal vesicles are a pair of simple tubular glands posteroinferior to the urinary bladder of males....
s, prostate
Prostate

The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system. Females do not have a prostate gland, although females do have tiny paraurethral Skene's glands connected to the distal third of the urethra in the prevaginal space that are homologous to the prostate....
 and penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
).

In men, the urinary system overlaps with the reproductive system
Reproductive system

The reproductive system is a system of Organ within an organism which work together for the purpose of reproduction. Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also important accessories to the reproductive system....
, and in women the urinary tract opens into the vulva
Vulva

The vulva refers to the external sex organ of the female. In colloquial speech, the term vagina is often used to refer to the female genitals generally, although, strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure, whereas the vulva is the whole exterior genitalia....
. In both sexes, the urinary and reproductive tracts are close together, and disorders of one often affect the other. Urology combines management of medical (i.e. non-surgical) problems such as urinary infections, and surgical problems such as the correction of congenital abnormalities and the surgical management of cancers. Such abnormalities within the genital region are called genitourinary disorders.

Urology is closely related to, and in some cases overlaps with, the medical fields of oncology
Oncology

Oncology is the branch of medicine that studies tumors . A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. The term originates from the Greek onkos , meaning bulk, mass, or tumor and the suffix -logy, meaning "study of"....
, nephrology
Nephrology

Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney....
, gynecology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, proctology
Proctology

Proctology is a field in medicine, dealing with disorders of the rectum or anus. The word Proctology is derived from the Greek language words Proktos, meaning anus or hindparts, and Logos meaning science or study....
, dermatology and endocrinology.

Branches of urology

As a discipline that involves the study of many organs and physiological systems, urology can be broken down into subfields. In many countries office urologists treat general urologic health problems and carry out basic surgical procedures while more complicated cases are referred to the hospital. At larger centers and especially university hospitals, most urologists sub-specialize within a particular field of urology.

Endourology is the branch of urology that deals with minimal invasive surgical procedures. As opposed to open surgery, endourology is carried out through instruments. Traditionally, transurethral surgery has been the cornerstone of endourology. Via the urethra, the complete urinary tract can be reached, enabling prostate surgery, surgery of tumors of the urothelium, stone surgery and simple urethral and ureteral procedures. During the last years, laparoscopy has evolved rapidly and is about to replace certain formerly open surgical procedures. Robotic tumor surgery of the prostate is the lastest development in endourology and the fastest growing. Today, approximately 80% of prostatectomies in the U.S. are carried out by robotic surgery.

Oncologic urology concerns the surgical treatment of malignant genitourinary diseases such as cancer of the prostate, bladder, kidneys, testicles and penis
Penis

The penis is an external sex organ of certain biologically male organisms, in both vertebrates and invertebrates.The penis is a reproductive organ, technically an intromittent organ, and for Eutheria, additionally serves as the external organ of urination....
. The medical treatment of advanced genitourinary cancer is in some countries done by urologic oncologists, in some countries by urologists.

Neurourology concerns nervous system
Nervous system

The nervous system is a Neural network of specialized cells that communicate information about an animal's surroundings and itself. It processes this information and causes reactions in other parts of the body....
 control of the genitourinary system, and of conditions causing abnormal urination
Urination

Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, and, more rarely, emiction, is the process of disposing urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body....
. Neurological diseases and disorders such as multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to demyelinating disease. Disease onset usually occurs in young adults, and it is more common in females....
, Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills and speech, as well as other functions....
, and spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury causes myelopathy or damage to white matter or myelinated fiber tracts that carry sensation and motor signals to and from the brain....
 can disrupt the lower urinary tract and result in conditions such as urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on quality of life....
, detrusor overactivity, urinary retention
Urinary retention

Urinary retention also known as ischuria is a lack of ability to urinate. It is a common complication of Benign prostatic hyperplasia , although anticholinergics may also play a role, and requires a catheter or Prostatic stent....
, and bladder sphincter dyssynergia
Bladder sphincter dyssynergia

Bladder sphincter dyssynergia or more technically detrusor sphincter dysynergia is a consequence of a neurological condition such as spinal injury or multiple sclerosis where the contraction of the urinary bladder musculature is not coordinated with the relaxation of the sphincter....
. Urodynamic studies play an important diagnostic role in neurourology. Therapy for nervous system disorders includes clean intermittent self-catheterization of the bladder, anticholinergic drugs, injection of Botulinum toxin into the bladder wall and advanced and less commonly used therapies such as sacral neuromodulation
Neuromodulation

In neuroscience, neuromodulation is the process in which several classes of neurotransmitters in the nervous system regulate diverse populations of neurons , as opposed to direct synapse in which one presynaptic neuron directly influences a postsynaptic partner , neuromodulatory transmitters secreted by a small group of neurons diffuse throug...
. Less marked neurological abnormalities can cause urological disorders as well -- for example, abnormalities of the sensory nervous system are thought by many researchers to play a role in disorders of painful or frequent urination (e.g. painful bladder syndrome, formerly known as interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a urinary bladder disease of unknown cause characterised by urinary frequency , urgency, pressure and/or pain in the bladder and/or pelvis....
).[1]

Pediatric urology concerns urologic disorders in children. Such disorders include cryptorchism, congenital abnormalities of the genito-urinary tract, enuresis, vesicoureteral reflux
Vesicoureteral reflux

Vesicoureteral reflux is an abnormal movement of urine from the urinary bladder into ureters or kidneys. Urine normally travels from the kidneys via the ureters to the bladder....
.

Andrology
Andrology

Andrology is the medicine that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urology problems that are unique to men....
 focusses on the male reproductive system. It is mainly concerned with male infertility, erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory disorders. Since male sexuality is largely controlled by hormones, andrology overlaps with endocrinology. Surgery in this field includes refertilisation procedures and the implantation of penile prostheses.

Plastic and reconstructive urology reestablishes functionality of the genito-urinary tract. Strictures of the urethra or the ureter often require reconstructive surgery. Another frequent procedure is the reconstruction of the urinary bladder from small bowel in conjunction with cancer surgery. In children, typical plastic procedures are the surgical correction of hypospadias and epispadias. Cosmetic surgery such as penis enlargement is rarely done in urology. True penile lengthening is technically not feasible with today’s state of the art.

Gynecologic urology. Urinary incontinence in women is a common problem. The complex anatomy of the female pelvic floor with reproductive and urinary organs positioned close to each other makes women susceptible to developing problems in this region of the body. Thorough knowledge of the female pelvic floor together with urodynamic skills are necessary to diagnose and treat these disorders. Depending on the cause of the individual problem a medical or surgical treatment can be the solution.

See also

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia
    Benign prostatic hyperplasia

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia also known as nodular hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy or benign enlargement of the prostate refers to the increase in size of the prostate in middle-aged and elderly men....
  • Bladder stones
  • Bladder cancer
    Bladder cancer

    Bladder cancer refers to any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder....
  • Cystitis
    Cystitis

    Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder. The condition more often affects women, but can affect either sex and all age groups....
  • Development of the urinary and reproductive organs
    Development of the urinary and reproductive organs

    The development of the urinary and reproductive organs as a part of the prenatal development, concerns the urinary system and sex organs. The latter is a part of the stages of sexual differentiation....
  • Erectile dysfunction
    Erectile dysfunction

    Erectile dysfunction is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance....
  • Interstitial cystitis
    Interstitial cystitis

    Interstitial cystitis is a urinary bladder disease of unknown cause characterised by urinary frequency , urgency, pressure and/or pain in the bladder and/or pelvis....
  • Kidney stone
    Kidney stone

    Kidney stones, also called renal Calculus , are solid concretions of dissolved dietary mineral in urine; calculi typically form inside the kidneys or bladder....
    s
  • Medical specialty
  • Prostatitis
    Prostatitis

    Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, in men. A prostatitis diagnosis is assigned at 8% of all urologist and 1% of all primary care physician visits in the United States....
  • Prostate cancer
    Prostate cancer

    Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It occurs when cell s of the prostate Mutation and begin to multiply out of control....
  • Retrograde pyelogram
    Retrograde pyelogram

    Retrograde Pyelogram is a urologic procedure where the physician injects contrast into the ureter in order to visualize the ureter and kidney. The flow of contrast is opposite the usual flow of urine, hence the retrograde name....
  • Vasectomy
    Vasectomy

    Vasectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vas deferens of a man are cut for the purpose of Sterilization ....


External links

  • - The EAU represents over 16,000 urological professionals across Europe and organises more than 25 meetings & courses each year
  • - 15,000-member professional association for urologists. Annual meeting in May.