The male genitourinary system includes two different, functionally and morphologically related structures. In each of them there are certain organs that perform certain tasks. Next, we will consider in more detail what is the structure of the male genitourinary system. The article will describe the tasks that it performs, as well as some of the pathologies.
General information
The system includes organs that form and then excrete urine. This is one of the existing structures. The second is gender. She is responsible for the reproductive function. The structure of the male genitourinary system is similar to the female one in the part responsible for cleansing the blood from accumulated toxins. There are 2 kidneys in this zone. These organs are bean-shaped. They are located on the same level with the lumbar (upper) vertebrae. In addition to the kidneys, the renal pelvis, ureters, bladder and urethra are involved in blood purification.
Testicles
The male genitourinary system includes these paired organs responsible for the production of spermatozoa and the hormone testosterone. Therebyattraction is formed. Hormones also affect the formation of sexual characteristics. Organs are formed already in the prenatal period. Initially, they form in the abdominal cavity (its upper part). Then gradually the organs go into the scrotum. The ability to move, however, remains with them throughout their lives. This is possible due to muscle contractions. This ability provides reliable protection against sudden effects of temperature changes and physical overvoltage. In some cases, testicular descent is not completed by the time of birth. This situation can be corrected by surgical methods. If you do not intervene and correct before the age of five, then this is fraught with infertility. The skin receptacle of the testicles is the scrotum. It provides protection against potential injury. In the epididymis, presented in the form of a small canal, spermatozoa are located. Here they continue their maturation and gradually acquire the necessary mobility.
Urethra (vas deferens)
This formation is a continuation of the epididymis. Along with large-caliber blood vessels, the duct forms a spermatic cord, which has a relatively large length. It comes from the scrotum, goes along the inguinal fold into the abdominal cavity to the very base of the prostate. In the region of the prostate gland, the rope expands, passing into the ampoule. In this area, spermatozoa accumulate up to the onset of ejaculation.
Prostate
This body is working out a special secret. It helps spermkeep your activity. In the prostate gland, in addition, the vas deferens and the urethra are combined. Due to the high degree of elasticity of the muscle ring located at the outlet of the prostate, the penetration of sperm into the bladder during ejaculation is excluded. The same is true for the other process. During ejaculation, urine does not enter the urethra.
Other ingredients
The male genitourinary system includes the seminal vesicles. These are small glands that produce fluid that is present in semen and makes up about 95% of its total volume. Vesicles have excretory tubules. They are united with the vas deferens. Cooper's gland produces a lubricant that facilitates the movement of sperm during sexual intercourse. This is the general anatomy of the male genitourinary system. With the tension of the muscles of the perineum, a full ejaculation is carried out.
Some diseases of the genitourinary system in men
These are ailments:
- Prostate adenoma.
- Aspermia.
- Scrotal swelling.
- Inflammation of the genitourinary system in men (balanoposthitis, for example).
- Hydrocele (dropsy of testicular membranes).
- Cavernite.
- Cyst of spermatic cord.
- Cryptozoospermia.
- Short bridle.
- Hypospadias.
- Infertility.
This is the list. These are not all diseases of the genitourinary system in men. Some pathologiesdue to various reasons. Let's take a look at some of them below.
Main triggers
Infections of the genitourinary system in men are considered the most common cause of the development of many pathologies. They, in turn, are divided into non-specific and specific. The former include streptococci, staphylococci, E. coli, viruses (herpes, acute respiratory infections, influenza, cytomegalovirus, shingles), chlamydia, mycoplasmas and others. Among specific infections, trichomonas, gonococcus, pale treponema, mycobacterium tuberculosis are distinguished. All of these microorganisms provoke urethritis, prostatitis, inflammation of the genitourinary system in men and other pathologies.
Oncology
This should also be mentioned. These diseases of the genitourinary system in men are caused by an imbalance in the circulation of sex hormones. These disorders, in turn, are provoked by age-related changes. Among other factors that increase the risk of developing oncological pathologies, it should be noted genetic predisposition, a large amount of consumed animal fats. Most often, malignant tumors are detected in representatives of the Negroid race. Along with this, it should be noted that the above factors, as well as smoking, sexual activity, diabetes, hypertension, and liver damage do not belong to the reasons why prostate adenoma develops.
Other pathologies
Factors that provoke testicular tumors - cryptorchidism, trauma, radiation (ionizing andmicrowave), phimosis and chronic inflammatory processes. The latter should include congestion due to reduced or increased sexual activity. In this case, the latter may be accompanied by interruption of the act, smoking, alcohol abuse. Pathologies of other structures and organs can also provoke diseases of the genitourinary system in men. These include hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes (sugar), depression, neuroses, obesity, injuries and lesions of the spinal cord and spine. Reduced sexual activity can also be caused by taking a number of drugs.
Urinary system of a man: symptoms of pathologies
Signs of violations of the structure's activities are conditionally divided by experts into several categories.
The first group should include changes in the external genitalia, detected during palpation and examination. So, for example, during the examination it is easy to detect micropenia (the size of an organ in an erect state is less than 9 cm), megalopenis (as a manifestation of hyperactivity in the adrenal cortex), pathological penis enlargement (against the background of priapism, if palpation is accompanied by pain, then injury is likely), curvature of the trunk (with pain, Peyronie's syndrome is possible). On examination, there may also be a noticeable change in the size of the scrotum. The increase, in particular, is bilateral and unilateral. If pain occurs during palpation, the likelihood of an inflammatory process in the testicles or their appendages should be taken into account. If there is no pain, then this may indicate a hydrocele or elephantiasis. Atthe absence of both testicles in the scrotum, cryptorchidism or agenesis is likely.
The next category of symptoms are general manifestations. These include, for example, fever. In this condition, there is an increase in temperature against the background of the inflammatory process. Common signs include weight loss (on the basis of malignant tumors), gynecomastia (may act as a consequence of estrogen therapy for prostate cancer). The next fairly common symptom is pain. Against the background of certain pathologies, it can be localized in the groin area (in the external organs and perineum). In acute urethritis, pain accompanies the process of urination. As a rule, it is painful and has a sharp character. Against the background of fibrous induration, aching pain and curvature of the penis are revealed. Another common manifestation of pathologies is a disorder in the process of urination. In particular, at night, patients are disturbed by frequent urges (against the background of prostate tumors), incontinence (with adenoma), difficulty in emptying, polyuria. Another symptom is a change in the transparency and color of urine. It may become cloudy. As a rule, such a manifestation is characteristic of inflammatory pathologies. Against the background of malignant neoplasms, blood may appear during emptying. Also, a symptom is considered a change in sperm or pathological discharge from the urethra. Pus appears with urethritis. There is a constant or frequent release of sperm from the urethra without ejaculation, orgasm, erection (spermatorrhea). With pathologiesthe prostate gland often appears after defecation or urination, the secret of the prostate, but without the admixture of spermatozoa (prostorrhea).
Sperm change
In 1 ml of ejaculate, there are normally at least 20 million spermatozoa. More than half of them are mobile. When the vas deferens is blocked, there is a lack of ejaculation during sexual contact - aspermatism. With an insufficient amount (less than 20 million), oligozoospermia is diagnosed. This pathology can develop due to infections, cryptorchidism, hypoplasia or underdevelopment of the testicles. Provoking factors are nicotine, drugs and alcohol. In the case of a smaller number of motile spermatozoa, asthenozoospermia is diagnosed, in the presence of germ cells with insufficient morphology, teratozoospermia is detected. In the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate against the background of varicocele, atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, and inflammation, azoospermia is diagnosed. In the presence of a normal number of spermatozoa (but not having mobility) and in the absence of the possibility of their restoration, one speaks of necrospermia. Against the background of prostate cancer, vesiculitis, hemospermia is diagnosed. In this case, blood is found in the semen.
Diagnosis
In the presence of inflammatory pathologies, several studies are prescribed. One of them is a blood test. Against the background of inflammation, there will be an increased concentration of leukocytes, an increase in ESR. Urinalysis will reveal microorganisms that cause pathologies. In the diagnosis of prostate diseases, a special place is occupied by digital transrectalstudy. During this procedure, the size of the gland, its contours, the presence / absence of foci of softening / compaction are determined. Along with this, the specialist receives a secret of the prostate, which is also subsequently investigated. Endoscopic methods allow you to examine the mucous membrane of the urethra. MRI, CT, X-ray methods of research are widely used. Ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men allows you to diagnose pathological changes in the prostate, testicle and its appendages. Identification of erectile dysfunction is carried out using a sexological test, laboratory tests for hormones, gonadotropic compounds. The vessels of the penis are also examined, cavernosography, electromyography are performed. Timely and correct diagnosis allows the treatment of the genitourinary system in men most effectively.
Therapeutic and preventive measures
What should be said here? Treatment of the genitourinary system in men is selected strictly individually in each case. Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the causes and alleviating the manifestations of pathology. For severe pain, a specialist may prescribe analgesics or antispasmodics. In the event of an infection, the doctor will recommend an antibiotic. The drug is selected in accordance with the results of tests that identify the pathogen and its sensitivity. In some cases, surgery may be required. As a preventive measure, negative factors should be excluded from everyday life, includingincluding those contributing to the development of oncology (microwave radiation, for example). It is necessary to revise your regimen, give up bad habits, eliminate the pathologies of other systems and organs. After 40 years, annual preventive examinations are recommended, including laboratory and instrumental diagnostic measures.
