Urologic Diseases Dictionary: U - V

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U

ultrasound:

A technique that bounces safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure.

urea (yoo-REE-uh):

A waste product found in the blood and caused by the breakdown of protein in the liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine.

ureteroscope (yoo-REE-tur-uh-scope):

A tool for examining the bladder and ureters and for removing kidney stones through the urethra. The procedure is called a ureteroscopy (you-ree-tur-AH-skoh-pee).

ureters (YOOR-uh-turs):

Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

urethra (yoo-REE-thrah):

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

urethral obstruction:

A blockage in the urethra. A kidney stone is the most common cause.

urethritis (yoo-ree-THRY-tis):

Inflammation of the urethra.

urge urinary incontinence:

Urinary leakage when the bladder contracts unexpectedly by itself.

uric (YOOR-ik) acid stone:

A kidney stone that may result from a diet high in animal protein.

urinalysis (yoor-in-AL-ih-sis):

A test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary tract and other body systems. The sample may be observed for color, cloudiness, concentration; signs of drug use; chemical composition, including glucose; the presence of protein, blood cells, or germs; or other signs of disease.

urinary (YOOR-ih-NEHR-ee) frequency:

Urination eight or more times a day.

urinary tract:

The system that takes wastes from the blood and carries them out of the body in the form of urine. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

urinary tract infection (UTI):

An illness caused by harmful bacteria growing in the urinary tract.

urinary urgency:

Inability to delay urination.

urinate (YOOR-ih-nate):

To release urine from the bladder to the outside.

urine (YOOR-in):

Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of voiding or urinating.

urodynamic (YOOR-oh-dy-NAM-ik) tests:

Measures of the bladder's ability to hold and release urine.

uroflow test:

Measurement of the rate at which urine flows out of the body. A lower than normal rate can indicate obstruction.

urolithiasis (YOOR-oh-lih-THY-uh-sis):

Stones in the urinary tract.

urostomy (yoor-OSS-toh-mee):

An opening through the skin into the urinary tract to allow urine to drain when voiding through the urethra is not possible.


Urostomy

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V

vagina (vah-JY-nah):

The tube in a woman's body that runs beside the urethra and connects the womb (uterus) to the outside of the body. Sometimes called the birth canal.

vasopressin:

See antidiuretic hormone.

vesicoureteral (VESS-ih-koh-yoo-REE-ter-ul) reflux:

An abnormal condition in which urine backs up into the ureters and occasionally into the kidneys, raising the risk of infection.

void:

To urinate, empty the bladder.

voiding cystourethrogram (SIS-toh-yoo-REE-throh-gram) (VCUG):

An x-ray image of the bladder and urethra made during voiding. The bladder and urethra are filled with a special fluid to make the urethra clearly visible.

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