Claudius Galen: from a 20th century genitourinary perspective.
OBJECTIVE
We review the life and contributions of Claudius Galen from a 20th century perspective and examine his genitourinary observations.


METHODS
All obtainable English translations of Galen's works were explored in addition to relevant commentaries.


RESULTS
Galen's remarkable observations and novel concepts expanded medical knowledge in general and contributed to fundamental genitourinary principles in particular. Galen was one of the first to describe correctly the function of kidneys and explain micturition. Among his many neologisms he coined the term ureter, and he was probably the first to recognize the value of a competent ureterovesical valve. Galen advocated catheterization for urinary obstruction. He was a teacher, practitioner and philosopher, and wrote voluminously.


CONCLUSIONS
Galen's influence on medical theory, terminology and practice remained unquestioned in Europe and the Middle East throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
University of Michigan Medical Center, Department of English, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0330, USA.
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Bloom
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Milen
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Heininger
D000818:Animals; D000076145:Greece, Ancient; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014572:Urology / Q000266:history*