Genitourinary system
Encyclopedia
In anatomy
, the genitourinary system or urogenital system is the organ system of the reproductive organs and the urinary system
. These are grouped together because of their proximity to each other, their common embryological
origin and the use of common pathways, like the male urethra. Also, because of their proximity, the systems are sometimes imaged together.
The term "apparatus urogenitalis" is used in Nomina Anatomica
(under Splanchnologia), but not in Terminologia Anatomica
.
. The permanent organs of the adult are preceded by a set of structures that are purely embryonic, and that, with the exception of the ducts, disappear almost entirely before the end of fetal life. These embryonic structures are on either side: the pronephros
, the mesonephros
and the metanephros of the kidney
, and the Wolffian
and Müllerian duct
s of the sex organ
. The pronephros disappears very early; the structural elements of the mesonephros mostly degenerate, but the gonad
is developed in their place, with which the Wolffian duct remains as the duct in males, and the Müllerian as that of the female. Some of the tubules of the mesonephros form part of the permanent kidney.
To gain access to the body, pathogen
s can penetrate mucous membranes lining the genitourinary tract.
Urogenital malformations include:
As a medical specialty, genitourinary pathology is the subspecialty of surgical pathology
which deals with the diagnosis
and characterization of neoplastic
and non-neoplastic disease
s of the urinary tract, male genital tract, and testes. However, medical disorders of the kidneys are generally within the expertise of renal pathologists
. Genitourinary pathologists
generally work closely with urologic surgeons
.
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, the genitourinary system or urogenital system is the organ system of the reproductive organs and the urinary system
Urinary system
The urinary system is the organ system that produces, stores, and eliminates urine. In humans it includes two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder and the urethra.-Kidney:...
. These are grouped together because of their proximity to each other, their common embryological
Embryology
Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage...
origin and the use of common pathways, like the male urethra. Also, because of their proximity, the systems are sometimes imaged together.
The term "apparatus urogenitalis" is used in Nomina Anatomica
Nomina Anatomica
In the late nineteenth century some 50,000 terms for various body parts were in use. The same structures were described by different names, depending on the anatomist’s school and national tradition. Vernacular translations of Latin and Greek, as well as various eponymous terms, were barriers to...
(under Splanchnologia), but not in Terminologia Anatomica
Terminologia Anatomica
Terminologia Anatomica is the international standard on human anatomic terminology. It was developed by the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology and the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists and was released in 1998. It supersedes the previous standard, Nomina...
.
Development
The urinary and reproductive organs are developed from the intermediate mesodermIntermediate mesoderm
Intermediate mesenchyme or intermediate mesoderm is a type of mesoderm that is located between the paraxial mesoderm and the lateral plate.It develops into the part of the urogenital system * forms of urogenital system...
. The permanent organs of the adult are preceded by a set of structures that are purely embryonic, and that, with the exception of the ducts, disappear almost entirely before the end of fetal life. These embryonic structures are on either side: the pronephros
Pronephros
Pronephros the most basic of the three excretory organs that develop in vertebrates, corresponding to the first stage of kidney development. It is succeeded by the mesonephros, which in fish and amphibians remains as the adult kidney. In amniotes the mesonephros is the embryonic kidney and a more...
, the mesonephros
Mesonephros
The mesonephros is one of three excretory organs that develop in vertebrates. It serves as the main excretory organ of aquatic vertebrates and as a temporary kidney in reptiles, birds, and mammals. The mesonephros is included in the Wolffian body after Caspar Friedrich Wolff who described it in 1759...
and the metanephros of the kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
, and the Wolffian
Wolffian duct
The mesonephric duct is a paired organ found in mammals including humans during embryogenesis....
and Müllerian duct
Müllerian duct
Müllerian ducts are paired ducts of the embryo that run down the lateral sides of the urogenital ridge and terminate at the Müllerian eminence in the primitive urogenital sinus. In the female, they will develop to form the Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and the upper two-third of the vagina; in...
s of the sex organ
Sex organ
A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined, is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in a complex organism; flowers are the reproductive organs of flowering plants, cones are the reproductive...
. The pronephros disappears very early; the structural elements of the mesonephros mostly degenerate, but the gonad
Gonad
The gonad is the organ that makes gametes. The gonads in males are the testes and the gonads in females are the ovaries. The product, gametes, are haploid germ cells. For example, spermatozoon and egg cells are gametes...
is developed in their place, with which the Wolffian duct remains as the duct in males, and the Müllerian as that of the female. Some of the tubules of the mesonephros form part of the permanent kidney.
Disorders
Disorders of the genitourinary system includes a range of disorders from those that are asymptomatic to those that manifest an array of signs and symptoms. Causes for these disorders include congenital anomalies, infectious diseases, trauma, or conditions that secondarily involve the urinary structure.To gain access to the body, pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
s can penetrate mucous membranes lining the genitourinary tract.
Urogenital malformations include:
- HypospadiasHypospadiasHypospadias is a birth defect of the urethra in the male that involves an abnormally placed urinary meatus...
- EpispadiasEpispadiasAn epispadias is a rare type of malformation of the penis in which the urethra ends in an opening on the upper aspect of the penis. It can also develop in females when the urethra develops too far anteriorly...
- Labial fusionLabial fusionLabial fusion is a medical condition of the female genital anatomy where the labia minora become fused together. It is generally a pediatric condition....
- VaricoceleVaricoceleVaricocele , also known as varicoscele or varicose seal, is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis...
As a medical specialty, genitourinary pathology is the subspecialty of surgical pathology
Surgical pathology
Surgical pathology is the most significant and time-consuming area of practice for most anatomical pathologists. Surgical pathology involves the gross and microscopic examination of surgical specimens, as well as biopsies submitted by non-surgeons such as general internists, medical subspecialists,...
which deals with the diagnosis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships...
and characterization of neoplastic
Neoplasia
Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue as a result of neoplasia. Neoplasia is the abnormal proliferation of cells. The growth of neoplastic cells exceeds and is not coordinated with that of the normal tissues around it. The growth persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the...
and non-neoplastic disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s of the urinary tract, male genital tract, and testes. However, medical disorders of the kidneys are generally within the expertise of renal pathologists
Renal pathology
Renal pathology is a subspecialty of anatomic pathology that deals with the diagnosis and characterization of medical diseases of the kidneys. In the academic setting, renal pathologists work closely with nephrologists and transplant surgeons, who typically obtain diagnostic specimens via...
. Genitourinary pathologists
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
generally work closely with urologic surgeons
Urology
Urology is the medical and 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...
.
External links
- Male urogenital development 3D animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UMli4xpm8c
- Female urogenital development 3D animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIdQjHHXF4I