Urolithiasis is one of the leading places in the field of uropathology. The relevance of this topic is determined by the fact that every year the number of patients with urolithiasis is steadily increasing, both in the Russian Federation and in developed countries. According to most authors, that due to the increasing life expectancy, changes at the chemical composition of water, lifestyle and peculiarities of human nutrition, as well as global climate changes. Medico-economic and social significance of urolithiasis is that roughly 2 / 3 of patients who get sick are 30 to 60 years old. The disease is characterized by frequent relapses, high prevalence of complicated forms, in some cases leading to disability of the patient, which makes it difficult to treat. In spite of this, mortality from urolithiasis in the last few years has noticeably decreased, due to the active study of the etiopathogenesis of the disease, improvement of diagnostic methods, development and implementation of minimally invasive technologies in the treatment of urolithiasis. This literature review provides information on the prevalence of urolithiasis, the etiology and pathogenesis of stone formation in the urinary system, as well as main information of the most effective methods of diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis at this time.