Term | Definition |
digital rectal examination (DRE) | Screening test that assesses the rectal wall surface for lesions or abnormally firm areas that might indicate cancer |
electromyography (EMG) | Measures the contraction of muscles that control urination using electrodes placed in the rectum and urethra |
testicular self-examination
(TSE) | Self-examination of the testes for abnormal lumps or swellings in the scrotal sac |
cystoscopy (cysto) | Endoscopy of the urinary bladder for evidence of pathology, obtaining biopsies of tumors or other growths, and removal of polyps |
nephroscopy | Endoscopy of the kidney(s) using a specialized, three-channel endoscope that enables visualization and irrigation of the kidney |
urethroscopy | Endoscopy of the urethra using a specialized endoscope, typically for lithotripsy or TURP |
blood urea nitrogen (BUN) | Test that determines the amount of urea nitrogen, a waste product of protein metabolism, present in a blood sample |
culture and sensitivity (C&S) | Test that determines the causative organism of a disease and how the organism responds to various antibiotics |
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | Blood test used to detect prostatic disorders, especially prostatic cancer |
semen analysis | Test that analyzes a semen sample for volume, sperm count, motility, and morphology to evaluate fertility or verify sterilization after a vasectomy |
urinalysis (UA) | Battery of tests performed on a urine specimen, including physical observation, chemical tests, and microscopic evaluation |
computed tomography (CT) | Imaging technique that rotates an x-ray emitter around the area to be
scanned and measures the intensity of transmitted rays from different angles |
cystography | Radiographic examination of the urinary bladder using a contrast medium |
cystometrography | Procedure that assesses volume and pressure in the bladder at various stages of filling using saline and a contrast medium introduced into the bladder through a catheter |
intravenous pyelography (IVP) | Radiographic examination of the kidneys, and urinary tract after IV injection of a contrast medium; also called excretory urography (EU) |
kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB)
radiography | Radiographic examination to determine the location, size, and shape of the kidneys in relationship to other organs in the abdominopelvic cavity and to identify abnormalities of the urinary system |
nuclear scan | Radiology test in which radioactive materials called tracers are introduced into the patient and a specialized camera, which acts as a radiation detector, produces images by recording the emitted tracers |
renal | Imaging test where a monitor is used to track a radioactive substance as it passes through the kidney |
ultrasound (US) | Radiograph that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) and displays the reflected echoes on a monitor; also called sonography, echography, or echo |
scrotal | US used to assess scrotal structures and patency of the vas deferens |
voiding cystourethrography
(VCUG) | Radiological examination of the bladder and urethra performed before, during, and after voiding using a contrast medium to enhance imaging |
dialysis | Medical procedure used to filter toxic substances from the patient’s bloodstream, such as excess electrolytes and nitrogenous wastes |
hemodialysis | Method of removing waste substances from the blood by shunting it from the body, passing it through an artificial kidney machine where it is filtered, and then returning the dialyzed blood to the patient’s body |
| Removal of toxic substances from the body by perfusing the peritoneal cavity with a warm, sterile chemical solution |