Claudius Galen: From a 20th century genitourinary perspective

Purpose: We review the life and contributions of Claudius Galen from a 20th century perspective and examine his genitourinary observations. Materials and 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 medica l knowledge in general and contributed to fundamental genitourinary princip les in particular. Galen was one of the first to describe correctly the fun ction of kidneys and explain micturition. Among his many neologisms he coin ed the term ureter, and he was probably the first to recognize the value of a competent ureterovesical valve. Galen advocated catheterization for urin ary 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 A ges and Renaissance.