Hippocrate’s Contribution Exploring the Tashrih-Al-Nizam-E-Baul (Anatomy of Urinary System): A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Hippocrates' early contributions to the understanding of urinary physiology continue to inform contemporary research and medical practice, emphasizing the enduring relevance of his observations in the history of anatomical studies. Hippocrates significantly contributed to understanding the kidneys and urinary system, including the urethra. Furthermore, he recognized the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder and the bladder's role in storing and expelling urine. However, his knowledge of blood vessels and the urethra remains limited. Hippocrates, a key figure in the development of clinical nephrology, outlined four renal diseases, including kidney colic, renal tuberculosis, renal vein thrombosis, bilateral papillary necrosis, and chronic suppurative renal infection. In addition, he also described bladder stones, urinary conditions like painful, difficult urination, incontinence, urinary retention, renal colic, and renal tuberculosis. Treatment for urinary disorders included warm applications, baths, plant-derived diuretics, diet, and incision over the kidneys. Urine symptoms included bubbles on the surface, colorless urine, and sudden increases of blood in urine. The Corpus Hippocraticum, a study of the urinary tract, has significantly contributed to urology, particularly in uroscopy and renal stone formation. The study of the urinary tract provides valuable insights into anatomy, physiology, etiology, and treatment of urological diseases. Hippocrates introduced the concept of high-risk operations, advising specialists to perform them and avoiding untrained healers. He differentiated between upper and lower urinary tract infections, identifying blood clots in urine as kidney discharge and bladder infections as bladder stones. This article highlights the fundamental contributions of Hippocrates to the field of nephrology and to the understanding of renal anatomy and shows how his teachings influenced later medical practices and advances in the understanding of renal function and pathology. This review aims to uncover the significance they hold in the historical literature, showcasing the historical impact of his pioneering work on the Tashrih-al-Nizam-e-Baul (Anatomy of Urinary System).