MEANING
The term Urology is derived from the words "uro" (meaning urine) and "logy" (meaning science).
It translates to the science of urine.
As the meaning suggests, urology is the science of organs that come into contact with urine. It deals with the kidneys, the ureters (urinary canals coming from the kidneys), the bladder, and the lower urinary tract (urethra). Additionally, in men, it includes the prostate (which surrounds the initial part of the lower urinary tract), as well as diseases of the penis and testicles.
The treatment of masses (tumors) originating from the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, also falls within the scope of urology.
For this reason, urology is a broad field of science that addresses patients of all ages and genders. The diagnosis and treatment of diseases of these organs, whether through medication or surgery, are the responsibility of urologists.
DON'T CONFUSE
Urology is often confused with nephrology, a subfield of internal medicine. The distinction between the two fields can be summarized as follows:
Nephrology deals with disorders related to the production of urine by the kidneys, while urology focuses on the treatment of diseases that obstruct the excretion of urine.