Chapter 8 - Urogenital System

Abstract

This chapter discusses the urogenital system of nonhuman primates. A brief description of the histological features of the urinary and genital system is provided in the chapter. The urinary system comprises the kidney, ureter, bladder, and urethra. The histology of the ureter, bladder, and urethra in nonhuman primates is very similar to that found in humans. The cell layers are primarily transitional cells to the distal urethra, which is composed of stratified or pseudostratified columnar epithelium, except for the distal segment that converts to squamous epithelium. Renal diseases discussed in the chapter include glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, suppurative nephritis, pyelonephritis, and parasitic nephritis. The genital system is composed of the lower genital tract and upper genital tract. The lower genital tract is particularly susceptible to trauma, sexually transmitted diseases, and incursions of foreign bodies. The upper genital tract is subject to ascending infection from lower genital tract sites. Some agents preferentially infect certain sites and give rise to characteristic symptoms.