Medical Terminology - Unit

Urinary System

creatinine

a waste product of muscle metabolism

urinary tract

consists of two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder, and one urethra

kidneys

constantly filter the blood to remove waste products and excess water, which 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

medulla

inner region of the kidney, and it contains most of the urine-collecting tubules

nephrons

the microscopic functional units of each kidney

reabsorption

the return to the blood of some of the substances that were removed during filtration

glomerulus

each nephron contains a cluster of capillaries, surrounded by a cup-shaped membrane called the Bowman’s capsule, and a renal tubule.

renal artery

blood enters the kidney through here flows into the nephrons

renal vein

filtered blood containing protein and blood cells leaves the kidney and returns to the bloodstream through the

funnel-shaped area inside each kidney that is surrounded by the renal cortex and medulla 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

urinary bladder

an oval, hollow, muscular organ that is a reservoir for urine before it is excreted from the body

urethra

the tube extending from the bladder to the exterior of the body

urinary sphincters

located at either end of the urethra

urethral meatus

also known as the urinary meatus, is the external opening of the urethra

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

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

diabetic nephropathy

kidney disease resulting from poorly controlled diabetes mellitus

renal failure

also known as kidney failure, is the inability of one or both of the kidneys to perform their functions

azotemia

an elevation of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) caused by a lack of blood flow to each kidney

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

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

the progressive loss of renal function over months or years, may result from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease

end-stage renal disease

also known as kidney failure, is 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 kidne

nephrotic syndrome

also known as nephrosis, is a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine

edema

excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases

hyperproteinuria

the presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine

hypoproteinemia

the presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood

ectopic kidney

a congenital condition in which one kidney is located in an abnormal position or has fused with the other kidney

hydronephrosis

the dilation (swelling) of one or both kidneys, 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 (narrowing) in the ureter

glomerulonephritis

a type of nephritis caused by inflammation of the glomeruli that causes red blood cells and proteins to leak into the urine

pyonephrosis

also known as nephropyosis, is formation of pus in the kidney

polycystic kidney disease

a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys

renal colic

an acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a nephrolith (kidney stone)

renal cell carcinoma

the most common form of kidney cancer in adults

wilms tumor

also known as a nephroblastoma, is a rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children

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

nephrolithiasis

describes the presence of stones in the kidney

nephrolith

also known as a kidney stone or renal calculus, is found in the kidney

ureterolith

a stone located anywhere along the ureter

cystolith

a stone located within the urinary bladder

hydroureter

the distention (swelling) of the ureter with urine that cannot flow because of a ureteral obstruction

ureteral obstruction

a blockage of one or both ureters, can be due to congenital abnormality, ureterolith, or other disorders

ureterorrhagia

the discharge of blood from the ureter

cystalgia

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

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

fistula

an abnormal passage between two internal organs

neurogenic bladder

a urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination

benign prostatic hyperplasia

also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy or an 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

prostatitis

a group of disorders characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland

urethrorrhagia

bleeding from the urethr

urethrorrhea

an abnormal discharge from the urethra

urethrostenosis

urethral stricture, is narrowing of the urethra

epispadias

a congenital abnormality of the urethral opening

hypospadias

a congenital abnormality of the urethral opening

urinary tract infection

usually begins in the bladder; however, such an infection can affect all parts of the urinary system

urosepsis

a life-threatening systemic bacterial infection that can occur when a urinary tract infection spreads to the kidneys

recurrent urinary tract infection

cystitis that occurs two or more times in six months, or three or more times a year

cystitis

an inflammation of the bladder

pyelonephritis

an inflammation of both the renal pelvis and kidney

urethritis

an inflammation of the urethra

anuria

the absence of urine formation by the kidneys

diuresis

the increased output of urine

dysuria

difficult or painful urination

enuresis

the involuntary discharge of urine

nocturnal enuresis

urinary incontinence during sleep

nocturia

frequent and excessive urination during the night

oliguria

low urine output

polyuria

means excessive urination and is a common symptom of diabetes

urinary hesitancy

difficulty in starting a urinary stream

urinary retention

the inability to completely empty the bladder when attempting to urinate

incontinence

the inability to control the excretion of urine, feces, or both

urinary incontinence

the inability to control the voiding of urine

overflow incontinence

continuous leaking from the bladder either because it is full or because it does not empty completely

stress incontinence

the inability to control the voiding of urine under physical stress such as running, sneezing, laughing, or coughing

overactive bladder

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 for the presence of abnormal elements

glomerular filtration rate

a blood test to check how well the kidneys are functioning at filtering blood

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

cytoscopy

the visual examination of the urinary bladder with the use of a specialized type of endoscope known as a cystoscope

computed tomography

also known as a CT scan, is commonly used to evaluate the urinary system because it can be rapidly performed and provides additional radiographic imaging of the abdomen, which may reveal other potential sources for the patient’s symptoms

cystography

an x-ray or fluoroscopy examination of the bladder after a contrast medium is instilled via a urethral catheter

intravenous pyelogram

a set of x-ray images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder using an intravenous contrast medium to clearly visualize the structures

KUB (kidneys, ureters, bladder)

an x-ray study without the use of a contrast medium

retrograde pyelogram

an x-ray of the urinary system taken after a contrast medium has been instilled into one or both ureters through a sterile catheter and caused to flow upward through the urinary tract, usually as part of cystoscopy

voiding cystourethrography

a diagnostic procedure in which fluoroscopy is used to examine the flow of urine from the bladder and through the urethra

digital rectal exam

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 blood test

used to screen for prostate cancer, measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen that is present in a blood specimen