Urinary System

Abdominal sonogram

Ultrasound image of the urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder.

Adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD)

Inherited disorder in which multiple cysts form in the kidneys, leading to enlargement and possible renal failure.

Albumin (alb)

Urinalysis test used to detect albumin (a protein) in the urine.

Albuminuria

Presence of albumin in the urine.

Analgesic

Drug that relieves pain.

Antibiotic

Drug that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

Anuria

Absence of urine formation.

Antispasmodic

Drug that relieves spasms.

Azotemia

Excess urea and other nitrogenous wastes in the blood; also called uremia.

Bacteriuria

Presence of bacteria in the urine.

Bilirubin

Urine test that detects bilirubin; may indicate liver or gallbladder disease.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Blood test that measures urea levels; elevated levels indicate impaired kidney function.

Continent urostomy

Internal urine reservoir constructed from intestine that stores urine until emptied by catheterization.

Creatinine clearance testing

Measures blood and urine creatinine to determine how effectively the kidneys filter blood.

Creatinine, serum

Blood test used to assess kidney function.

Creatinine, urine

Test measuring creatinine in urine.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

Cystoscopy

Examination of the bladder using a cystoscope.

Diuretic

Drug that increases urine production.

Dysuria

Painful urination.

Enuresis

Involuntary discharge of urine; loss of bladder control.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

Procedure using ultrasound shock waves outside the body to break up urinary stones.

Foley catheter

Indwelling catheter inserted through the urethra into the bladder for continuous urine drainage.

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation involving the glomeruli of the kidneys.

Glucosuria

Presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine.

Glucose

Urine test that detects sugar in the urine.

Glycosuria

Another term for glucosuria.

Hematuria

Presence of blood in the urine.

Hemodialysis

Removal of blood impurities by passing blood through a dialysis machine.

Hydronephrosis

Dilation of the kidney due to obstructed urine flow.

Incontinence

Involuntary discharge of urine or feces.

Intracorporeal lithotripsy

Destruction of urinary stones using energy delivered through an endoscope.

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

X-ray of the urinary tract after intravenous contrast dye injection.

Intravenous urogram (IVU)

X-ray or CT image of the urinary tract after intravenous contrast dye injection.

Ketone bodies

Acetone, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetoacetic acid found during abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.

Ketone compounds

Another term for ketone bodies.

Ketones

Urine test that detects ketone bodies.

Ketonuria

Presence of ketone bodies in the urine.

Kidney biopsy (Bx)

Removal of kidney tissue for examination.

Kidney dialysis

Methods of filtering impurities from the blood when kidneys fail.

Kidney transplantation

Transfer of a kidney from a donor to a recipient.

Kidneys, ureters, bladder (KUB)

X-ray or CT image of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Microscopic findings

Microscopic examination of urine for abnormal substances such as bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells, and casts.

Neobladder

Artificial bladder made from intestinal tissue and attached to the urethra.

Nephrectomy

Surgical removal of a kidney.

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidney.

Nephrolithiasis

Presence of kidney stones.

Nephrolithotomy

Surgical incision into the kidney for removal of stones.

Nephrosis

Degenerative disease of the renal tubules.

Nephrotomy

Incision into the kidney.

Nephrorrhaphy

Suturing of an injured kidney.

Nitrite

Urine test used to detect bacteria.

Nocturia

Urination at night after waking from sleep.

Nocturnal enuresis

Bed-wetting during sleep.

Noncontinent ileal conduit

Urinary diversion using a portion of the ileum to continuously drain urine into an external bag.

Oliguria

Decreased urine production.

Orthotopic bladder

Artificial bladder made from intestinal tissue and attached to the urethra; also called a neobladder.

Peritoneal dialysis

Removal of impurities using the peritoneum as a filter.

pH

Measure of urine acidity or alkalinity.

Polyuria

Excessive urination.

Protein

Urine test used to detect protein in urine.

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in the urine.

Pyelonephritis

Inflammation of the renal pelvis.

Pyeloplasty

Surgical reconstruction of the renal pelvis.

Pyuria

Presence of white blood cells in the urine.

Renal angiogram

X-ray image of renal blood vessels obtained after contrast injection.

Renal arteriogram

X-ray image of the renal artery obtained after contrast injection.

Renal biopsy (Bx)

Removal of kidney tissue for examination.

Renal transplantation

Another term for kidney transplantation.

Resectoscope

Endoscope used to remove lesions of the bladder, urethra, or prostate.

Retrograde pyelogram (RP)

Contrast study of the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis performed through a catheter and cystoscope.

Retrograde urogram

Another term for retrograde pyelogram.

Scout film

Preliminary plain-film X-ray taken before additional imaging.

Specific gravity (SpGr)

Measure of urine concentration or dilution.

Stent placement

Placement of a device to hold open a vessel or tube.

Straight catheter

Temporary catheter inserted through the urethra and removed immediately after drainage or specimen collection.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)

Leakage of urine during coughing, sneezing, or exercise.

Suprapubic catheter

Indwelling catheter inserted through the abdomen directly into the bladder.

Uremia

Excess urea and other nitrogenous wastes in the blood due to kidney failure.

Urethral stenosis

Narrowing of the urethra.

Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra.

Urethrocystitis

Inflammation of both the urethra and bladder.

Urinalysis (UA)

Physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine.

Urinary catheterization

Placement of a catheter into the bladder to drain or collect urine.

Urinary diversion

Creation of a new pathway for urine to leave the body.

Urinary retention

Inability to empty the bladder normally.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Infection of the urinary tract, commonly involving the urethra and bladder.

Urine culture and sensitivity (C&S)

Laboratory test that identifies microorganisms in urine and determines effective antibiotics.

Urine occult blood

Test that detects hidden blood in the urine.

Urobilinogen

Urine test that detects bile pigment; elevated levels may indicate liver or gallbladder disease.

Urologic endoscopic surgery

Use of specialized endoscopes to perform urinary tract procedures.

Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)

X-ray image of the bladder and urethra obtained during urination.