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Urinary System
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| -cele | Hernia, tumor, or swelling. |
| cyst/o | Urinary bladder, cyst, or sac of fluid. |
| dia- | Through, between, apart, or complete. |
| -ectasis | Enlargement, stretching, or dilation. |
| glomerul/o | Glomerulus |
| lith/o | Stone or calculus. |
| -lysis | Separation, breakdown, setting free, destruction, or loosening. |
| nephr/o | kidney |
| -pexy | surgical fixation |
| pyel/o | renal pelvis, bowl of kidney |
| -tripsy | to crush |
| ur/o | urine, urinary tract |
| uretero | |
| -cele | Hernia, tumor, or swelling. |
| cyst/o | Urinary bladder, cyst, or sac of fluid. |
| dia- | Through, between, apart, or complete. |
| -ectasis | Enlargement, stretching, or dilation. |
| glomerul/o | Glomerulus |
| lith/o | Stone or calculus. |
| -lysis | Separation, breakdown, setting free, destruction, or loosening. |
| nephr/o | kidney |
| -pexy | surgical fixation |
| pyel/o | renal pelvis, bowl of kidney |
| -tripsy | to crush |
| ur/o | urine, urinary tract |
| ureter/o | ureter |
| urethr/o | urethra |
| -uria | urination, urine |
| ablation | The removal of a body part or the destruction of its function. |
| anuria | The absence of urine formation by the kidneys. |
| benign prostatic hyperplasia | An abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland. |
| chronic kidney disease | The progressive loss of renal function over months or years. |
| cystitis | Inflammation of the bladder. |
| cystocele | A hernia of the bladder through the vaginal wall; also called a prolapsed bladder. |
| cystolith | A stone located in the urinary bladder. |
| cystopexy | The surgical fixation of the bladder to the abdominal wall. |
| cystoscopy | The visual examination of the urinary bladder using a cystoscope. |
| dialysis | A procedure to remove waste products from the blood of patients whose kidneys no longer function. |
| diuresis | The increased output of urine. |
| edema | Excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues. |
| end-stage renal disease | The final stage of chronic kidney disease that is fatal unless the functions of the failed kidneys are successfully replaced by dialysis or with a successful kidney transplant. |
| enuresis | The involuntary discharge of urine. |
| epispadias | A congenital abnormality affecting the opening of the urethral opening. In the male, the opening is located on the upper surface of the penis. In the female, the urethral opening is located in the region of the clitoris. |
| extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy | The use of high-energy ultrasonic waves traveling through water or gel to break up kidney stones into fragments, which are then excreted in the urine. |
| glomerulonephritis | A form of nephritis caused by inflammation of the glomeruli that causes red blood cells and proteins to leak into the urine. |
| hemodialysis | A procedure that filters waste products directly from the patient's blood to replace the function of damaged kidneys. |
| hydronephrosis | The dilation of one or both kidneys that is the result of an obstruction of the flow of urine. |
| hydroureter | Distention of the ureter with urine that cannot flow because the ureter is blocked. |
| hyperproteinuria | The presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine. |
| hypoproteinemia | The presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood. |
| hypospadias | A congenital abnormality in the placement of the urethral opening. In the male, the urethral opening is on the under surface of the penis. In the female, the urethral opening is into the vagina. |
| incontinence | The inability to control the excretion of urine and/or feces. |
| interstitial cystitis | A chronic inflammation within the walls of the bladder. |
| intravenous pyelography | A radiographic study of the kidneys and ureters using a contrast medium to diagnose changes in the urinary tract. |
| nephrolith | A stone located in the kidney; also known as renal calculus or a kidney stone. |
| nephrolithiasis | The presence of a stone or stones in the kidney. |
| nephrolysis | The freeing of a kidney from adhesions. |
| nephrons | The microscopic functional units of each kidney where urine is produced through the processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. |
| nephropathy | Any kidney disease including degenerative and inflammatory conditions. |
| nephroptosis | The prolapse, or dropping down, of a kidney into the pelvic area when the patient stands; also known as a floating kidney. |
| nephropyosis | Suppuration of the kidney. |
| nephrostomy | The placement of a catheter to maintain an opening from the pelvis of one or both kidneys to the exterior of the body. |
| nephrotic syndrome | A groups of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost in the urine, resulting in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood. |
| neurogenic bladder | A urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination. |
| nocturia | Frequent and excessive urination during the night. |
| nocturnal enuresis | Urinary incontinence during sleep. |
| oliguria | Scanty urination. |
| percutaneous nephrolithotomy | The surgical removal of a nephrolith through a small incision in the back. |
| peritoneal dialysis | Dialysis in which the lining of the peritoneal cavity acts as the filter to remove waste from the blood. |
| polycystic kidney disease | An inherited kidney disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys leading eventually to kidney failure. |
| polyuria | Excessive urination. |
| prostatism | A disorder resulting from the compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatichyperplasia. |
| pyelotomy | A surgical incision into the renal pelvis. |
| suprapubic catheterization | The placement of a catheter into the bladder through a small incision made in the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone. |
| uremia | A toxic condition resulting from renal failure in which urea and other waste products are retained in the blood; also known as uremic poisoning. |
| ureterectasis | The distention of a ureter. |
| ureterolith | A stone located anywhere along the ureter. |
| ureterorrhagia | The discharge of blood from a ureter. |
| ureterorrhaphy | The surgical suturing of a ureter. |
| urethritis | Inflammation of the urethra. |
| urethroplasty | The surgical repair of damage or a defect in the walls of the urethra. |
| urethrorrhagia | Bleeding from the urethra. |
| urethrostenosis | Narrowing of the urethra. |
| urethrotomy | A surgical incision into the urethra for relief of a stricture. |
| urinary catheterization | The insertion of a tube into the bladder in order to procure a sterile specimen for diagnostic purposes, to drain urine from the bladder when the patient is unable to urinate, or to place medication into the bladder. |
| vesicovaginal fistula | An abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina. |
| voiding cystourethrography | A diagnostic procedure in which a fluoroscope is used to examine the flow of urine from the bladder and through the urethra. |
| Wilms tumor | A rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children. |
| Urea | the major waste product of protein metabolism. |
| urine | Converting these waste products and excess fluids into urine in the kidneys and excreting them from the body via the urinary bladder. |
| kidneys | The kidneys constantly filter the blood to remove waste products and excess water. These are excreted as urine, which is 95% water and 5% urea and other body wastes. |
| renal | pertaining to the kidneys |
| renal cortex | the outer region of the kidney. This layer of tissue contains more than one million microscopic units called nephrons. The term cortex means the outer portion of an organ. |
| medulla | the inner region of the kidney, and it contains most of the urine-collecting tubules. A tubule is a small tube. |
| glomerulus | Each nephron contains a glomerulus (gloh-MER-you-lus), which is a cluster of capillaries (plural, glomeruli), surrounded by a cup-shaped membrane called the Bowman’s capsule, and a renal tubule. |
| renal artery | Blood enters the kidney through this and flows into the nephrons. |
| renal pelvis | the funnel-shaped area inside each kidney that is surrounded by the renal cortex and medulla. This is where the newly formed urine from the nephrons collects before it flows into the ureters. |
| ureters | two narrow tubes, each about 10 to 12 inches long, which transport urine from the kidney to the bladder. Peristalsis, which is a series of wave-like contractions, moves urine down each ureter to the bladder. |
| ureteral orifices | Urine drains from the ureters into the bladder through the ureteral orifices in the wall of the urinary bladder |
| urinary bladder | an oval, hollow, muscular organ that is a reservoir for urine before it is excreted from the bod |
| urethra | the tube extending from the bladder to the exterior of the body. |
| urethral meatus | also known as the urinary meatus, is the external opening of the urethra. The term meatus means the external opening of a canal. |
| female urethra | approximately 1.5 inches long, and the urethral meatus is located between the clitoris and the opening of the vagina |
| male urethra | approximately 8 inches long, and the urethral meatus is located at the tip of the penis |
| prostate gland | part of the male reproductive system, surrounds the urethra (Figure 9.3). Most disorders of the prostate affect the male’s ability to urinate. |
| Urination | also known as voiding or micturition, is the normal process of excreting urine. |
| nephrologist | a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the kidneys |
| urologist | a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males |
| nephropathy | any disease of the kidney |
| Renal failure | also known as kidney failure, is the inability of one or both of the kidneys to perform their functions. The body cannot replace damaged nephrons, and when too many nephrons have been destroyed, the result is kidney failure. |
| Azotemia | n elevation of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) caused by a lack of blood flow to each kidney. Uremia can occur when this excess becomes toxic. |
| Uremia | also known as uremic poisoning, is a toxic condition resulting from renal failure in which kidney function is compromised and urea and other waste products normally secreted in the urine are retained in the blood |
| Acute renal failure (ARF) | has sudden onset uremia. It can be fatal if not reversed. This condition can be caused by the kidneys not receiving enough blood to filter due to dehydration or a sudden drop in blood volume or blood pressure from injury, burns, or a severe infection. |
| Chronic kidney disease (CKD) | also known as chronic renal disease, or kidney failure, is the progressive loss of renal function over months or years. This common condition, which can be life-threatening, may result from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, |
| End-stage renal disease (ESRD) | the final stage of chronic kidney disease, and this condition is fatal unless the functions of the failed kidneys are replaced by dialysis, or with a successful kidney transplant. |
| Nephrotic syndrome | also known as nephrosis, is a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine. This condition, which is usually caused by damage to the glomeruli, results in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood |
| Edema | excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases. This swelling can be in the area around the eyes, the abdomen, or the legs and feet. |
| Hyperproteinuria | the presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine |
| Hypoproteinemia | the presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood |
| Hydronephrosis | the dilation (swelling) of one or both kidneys. This condition can be caused by problems associated with the backing up of urine due to an obstruction such as a nephrolith (kidney stone) or a stricture |
| Nephritis | an inflammation of the kidney or kidneys ( nephr means kidney, and -itis means inflammation). The most common causes of nephritis are toxins, infection, or an autoimmune disease. |
| Renal colic | an acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a nephrolith (kidney stone). Colic means spasms of pain in the abdomen. |
| Chronic kidney disease (CKD) | also known as chronic renal disease, or kidney failure, is the progressive loss of renal function over months or years. This common condition, which can be life-threatening, may result from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, |
| End-stage renal disease (ESRD) | the final stage of chronic kidney disease, and this condition is fatal unless the functions of the failed kidneys are replaced by dialysis, or with a successful kidney transplant. |
| Nephrotic syndrome | also known as nephrosis, is a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine. This condition, which is usually caused by damage to the glomeruli, results in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood |
| Edema | excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases. This swelling can be in the area around the eyes, the abdomen, or the legs and feet. |
| Hyperproteinuria | the presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine |
| Hypoproteinemia | the presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood |
| Hydronephrosis | the dilation (swelling) of one or both kidneys. This condition can be caused by problems associated with the backing up of urine due to an obstruction such as a nephrolith (kidney stone) or a stricture |
| Nephritis | an inflammation of the kidney or kidneys ( nephr means kidney, and -itis means inflammation). The most common causes of nephritis are toxins, infection, or an autoimmune disease. |
| Renal colic | an acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a nephrolith (kidney stone). Colic means spasms of pain in the abdomen. |
| stone | also known as calculus, is an abnormal mineral deposit that has formed within the body and is named for the organ or tissue where it is located (plural, calculi) |
| Cystalgia | pain in the bladder |
| cystodynia | pain in the bladder |
| cystocele | also known as a prolapsed bladder, is a hernia of the bladder through the vaginal wall |
| Interstitial cystitis | a chronic inflammation within the walls of the bladder. The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of cystitis; however, they do not respond to traditional treatment. |
| Vesicoureteral reflux | the backward flow of urine into the ureters from the bladder |
| vesicovaginal fistula | an abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina that allows constant involuntary flow of urine from the bladder into the vagina |
| Neurogenic bladder | caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination. Normal urinary function depends on nerves to sense when the bladder is full and to control the muscles that either retain the urine or allow the bladder to empty. |
| Benign prostatic hyperplasia | also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy or enlarged prostate, is an enlargement of the prostate gland that most often occurs in men older than age 50 |
| Prostatism | a disorder resulting from the compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hyperplasia |
| Prostate cancer | one of the most common cancers among men. The disease can grow slowly with no symptoms, or it can grow aggressively and spread throughout the body. |
| Prostatitis | a group of disorders characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland |
| Urethrorrhea | an abnormal discharge from the urethra |
| urinary tract infection (UTI) | usually begins in the bladder; however, such an infection can affect all parts of the urinary system. These common infections are caused by bacteria |
| Pyelonephritis | an inflammation of both the renal pelvis and kidney |
| Dysuria | difficult or painful urination |
| Urinary hesitancy | difficulty in starting a urinary stream. This condition is most common in older men with enlarged prostate glands. In younger people, the inability to urinate when another person is present is known as bashful bladder syndrome. |
| Urinary retention | also known as ischuria, is the inability to completely empty the bladder when attempting to urinate. This condition is also more common in men and is frequently associated with an enlarged prostate gland. |
| Overflow incontinence | continuous leaking from the bladder either because it is full or because it does not empty completely. It is usually caused by a blocked urethra and is prevalent in older men with enlarged prostates. |
| Stress incontinence | the inability to control the voiding of urine under physical stress such as running, lifting, sneezing, laughing, or coughing. This condition occurs more often in women than in men. |
| Overactive bladder (OAB) | , also known as urge incontinence, occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily even though the bladder is not actually full enough to indicate the need to urinate. |
| Urinalysis | the examination of urine to determine the presence of abnormal element |
| bladder ultrasound | the use of a handheld ultrasound transducer to look for stones or for elevation of the bladder by an enlarged prostate and to measure the residual amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination |
| Urinary catheterization | the insertion of a tube into the bladder to procure a sterile specimen for diagnostic purposes |
| Cystoscopy | the visual examination of the urinary bladder with the use of a specialized type of endoscope known as a cystoscope |
| Voiding cystourethrography | a diagnostic procedure in which a fluoroscope is used to examine the flow of urine from the bladder and through the urethra |
| Computed tomography | also known as a CT scan, is more commonly used as a primary tool for evaluation of the urinary system because it can be rapidly performed and provides additional imaging of the abdomen |
| Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) | a blood test to check how well the kidneys are functioning at filtering blood. This test can help diagnose chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. |
| Cystography | a radiographic, or x-ray, examination of the bladder after a contrast medium is instilled via a urethral catheter |
| Intravenous pyelography | also known as excretory urography, is a radiographic study of the kidneys and ureters |
| KUB | (kidneys, ureters, bladder) is a radiographic study without the use of a contrast medium. This study, also referred to as a flat-plate of the abdomen, is used to detect bowel obstructions and nephroliths. |
| Retrograde urography | a radiograph of the urinary system taken after a contrast medium has been placed in the urethra through a sterile catheter and caused to flow upward through the urinary tract |
| digital rectal examination | performed on men by using a lubricated, gloved finger placed in the rectum to palpate the prostate gland to detect prostate enlargement and to look for indications of prostate cancer or tumors of the rectum. |
| prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test | used to screen for prostate cancer. This test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen that is present in a blood specimen |
| Diuretics | medications administered to increase urine secretion, primarily to rid the body of excess water and salt |
| nephropexy | also known as nephrorrhaphy, is the surgical fixation of nephroptosis, or a floating kidney |
| Renal transplantation | commonly known as a kidney transplant, is the grafting of a donor kidney, from either a living or nonliving donor, into the body to replace the recipient’s failed kidneys. |
| Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy | the most common kidney stone treatment. High-energy ultrasonic waves traveling through water or gel are used to break the stone into fragments, which are then excreted in the urine. |
| percutaneous nephrolithotomy | surgical removal of a nephrolith through a small incision in the back |
| ureterectomy | the surgical removal of a ureter |
| Ureteroscopy | a treatment for a nephrolith lodged in the ureter |
| cystectomy | the surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder. This procedure is usually performed to treat bladder cancer |
| ileal conduit | urinary ileostomy, is the use of a small piece of intestine to convey urine to the ureters and to a stoma in the abdomen |
| Cystorrhaphy | the surgical suturing of a wound or defect in the bladder |
| lithotomy | a surgical incision for the removal of a nephrolith from the bladder |
| indwelling catheter | remains inside the body for a prolonged time based on need |
| Urethral catheterization | performed by inserting a plastic tube called a catheter though the urethra and into the bladder. |
| Suprapubic catheterization | is the placement of a catheter into the bladder through a small incision made through the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone |
| Foley catheter | the most common type of indwelling catheter. This device is made of a flexible tube with a balloon filled with sterile water at the end to hold it in place in the bladder. |
| intermittent catheter | also known as a short-term catheter, is inserted as needed several times a day to drain urine from the bladder. |
| meatotomy | a surgical incision made in the urethral meatus to enlarge the opening |
| Urethroplasty | the surgical repair of damage or a defect in the walls of the urethra |
| urethrotomy | a surgical incision into the urethra for relief of a stricture |
| Ablation | some types of treatment of prostate cancer. This treatment involves the removal of a body part or the destruction of its function through the use of surgery, hormones, drugs, heat, chemicals, electrocautery, or other methods. |
| prostatectomy | the surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland |
| transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) | the removal of excess tissue from an enlarged prostate gland with the use of a resectoscope |
| Retrograde ejaculation | an orgasm results in semen flowing backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis. This is the most common long-term complication of a TURP. |
| Kegel exercises | a series of pelvic muscle exercises used to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. They are used to control urinary stress incontinence in both sexes |
| Bladder retraining | patient learns to urinate on a schedule, with increasingly longer time intervals as the bladder increases its capacity. |
| cath | catheterization |
| CKD | chronic kidney disease |
| cysto | cystoscopy |
| DRE | digital rectal examination |
| ESWL | extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy |
| PKD | polycystic kidney disease |