What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore the evolution of anatomical understanding of the ureterovesical junction from ancient to medieval scholars.

April 13, 2026

The functional anatomy of the uretero-vesical junction. A historical review

Key Points

The aim is to explore the evolution of anatomical understanding of the ureterovesical junction from ancient to medieval scholars.
Reviewed original manuscripts from Galen and six Islamic scholars up to the 13th century.
Analyzed anatomical concepts related to the ureterovesical junction and micturition.
Compared findings to modern anatomical understanding.
Islamic scholars' views on anti-reflux and micturition differ from Galen's ideas.
Many concepts of Islamic physicians align well with contemporary anatomy.
The historical contributions of these scholars enrich the understanding of urinary mechanisms.

Abstract

This paper evaluates the progress of anatomy and dissection during the Middle Ages both in Europe and in the Muslim World. For that purpose, the functional anatomy of the ureterovesical junction and the mechanism of micturition were studied both in the works of Galen (130-200 AD) and in the works of 6 Islamic medical scholars who lived in the period from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries AD (Alrazi, Alzahrawi, Ibn Sina, Al-Baghdadi, Ibn El Nefis and Ibn El Quff). The study relied, only, on original sources in the form of authentic editions and manuscripts. In general, the ideas and findings of those 6 Islamic physicians, as regard the anti-reflux and the micturition mechanisms, differed and contradicted with those of Galen but conformed well with our present day concepts.

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The functional anatomy of the uretero-vesical junction. A historical review

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