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Medical Glossary -U-

Medical Glossary

-U-

ulcer: A break in the skin or other surface that often occurs along with inflammation, infection, or cancerous growth.

ultrasound: A painless, noninvasive imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves.

unopposed estrogen: Estrogen taken without an accompanying progestogen.

unresolved losses: Personal losses that are not acknowledged and mourned. Many mental health experts believe that reactions to these losses crop up later, often skewing a person’s response to an entirely different loss.

unsaturated fat: Healthy dietary fats from plant sources such as vegetable oils, nuts, and whole grains, as well as from fatty fish. Includes monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.

unstable angina: Chest pain that occurs or worsens in frequency, severity, or duration when a person is at rest or engaging in mild activity.

upper airway resistance syndrome: Inhalation that requires undue extra exertion; this extra work may cause insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

upper esophageal sphincter: Muscular valve located at the upper portion of the esophagus that opens to allow food or liquid to enter the digestive system.

urea: A waste product of protein digestion and metabolism.

ureter: The tube that connects each kidney to the bladder.

urethra: The tube leading from the bladder through which urine is carried from the body.

urethral hypermobility: Movement of the urethra out of place when abdominal pressure increases, leading to stress incontinence.

urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra.

urgency: The sudden and uncontrollable need to urinate or defecate.

urinary frequency: Routinely needing to urinate more than eight times during the day or more than twice at night.

urinary incontinence: Inability to control urine flow, resulting in involuntary discharge or leakage.

urinary tract: Part of the body that produces and excretes urine. It consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

urologist: A specialist who deals with the urinary tract and male reproductive system.

urticaria: An itchy rash of usually short duration. Also known as hives.

uveitis: Inflammation of the pigmented part of the eye (the iris); may seriously affect vision.

uvula: A small, fleshy flap of tissue that hangs from the back of the throat over the root of the tongue. or The fleshy mass hanging down from the soft palate above the back of the tongue.

uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: A surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that involves removing the uvula, the tonsils, and a rim of loose tissue at the back of the soft palate.

ulcer
A localized sore in the skin or mucosal surfaces.

ulcerative colitis
A chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine characterized by bloody diarrhea.

ulna
The larger of the two bones of the forearm.

umbilical cord
A tough, cord-like structure connecting the fetus to the placenta for nourishment.

umbilicus
The scar at the site of attachment of the umbilical cord. The navel or belly button.

ungual
Having to do with the nails.

uremia
The buildup in the blood of substances normally eliminated in the urine.

ureter
A narrow tube that transfers urine from the kidney to the bladder.

urethra
The tube that allows the bladder to empty outside the body.

urethral stricture
A narrow area of the urethra that blocks the flow of urine.

urethritis
Inflammation or infection of the urethra.

urinary bladder
The organ that serves as a temporary storage place for urine. Also called the bladder.

urine
The fluid composed of water and waste products that’s secreted by the kidneys.

urogenital
Having to do with the urinary system and genitals.

urology
The branch of medicine that deals with the urinary system in women and the urogenital system in men.

uterus
A hollow muscular organ in women where the ovum (egg) is deposited and the embryo and fetus are developed.