UROLOGIC DISEASES
Urological conditions include conditions of the:
- male and female urinary system
- male reproductive system
- female pelvic floor
The urinary system includes the:
- kidneys and ureters which comprise the upper urinary tract
- bladder, prostate gland and urethra which comprise the lower urinary tract
The male reproductive system consists of the:
- prostate gland
- seminal vesicles
- ejaculatory ducts
- testicles and epididymis
The female pelvic floor consists of muscle and connective tissue which hold in place and support the pelvic organs, and plays a significant role in urinary and fecal continence.
Conditions of the genitourinary system may be due to:
- Infections (pyelonephritis, cystitis, epididymitis, orchitis, prostatitis)
- Stones (kidney, ureter, bladder)
- Malignant neoplasms (may afflict any of the organs of the genitourinary system)
- Congenital conditions (ureteropelvic junction obstruction, congenital conditions of the urethra and the external genitalia)
- Genital skin conditions
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary incontinence)
- Dysfunction of the organs and systems involved in erectile function and ejaculation
Finally, urinary system conditions can result from increasing age (benign prostatic hyperplasia, low testosterone levels in aging men)