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Home , Diurnal enuresis, Interstitial cystitis, Urethritis, Urinary bladder, Urinary urgency

National and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse TheThe UrologicUrologic DiseasesDiseases DictionaryDictionary

U.S. Department of Health and Services National Kidney and Urologic Diseases NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Information Clearinghouse

The Urologic Diseases Dictionary

Some terms listed have many meanings; only those meanings that relate to urologic diseases are included. Words that appear in bold italic are listed elsewhere in the dictionary. Information in this dictionary is not a substitute for a visit to your doctor. Talk with a health professional if you have a urologic problem.

The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product or company. Trade, proprietary, or company names appearing in this document are used only because they are considered necessary in the context of the information provided. If a product is not mentioned, the omission does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Kidney and Urologic Diseases NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Information Clearinghouse

Pronunciation Guide This pronunciation guide uses letters and letter combinations, rather than phonetic symbols, to stand for the various sounds in the English language.

Vowels o hot, cot a cat, bat oh coat, home ah father oo food, rude air pear, hair or tore, soar, for ar park oy soil, boy ay say, came, weigh ou now, couch aw saw, bought u put, foot e bet, set uh about, sum, china eh (used at the end of a syllable or when ur hurt, alert standing alone) yoo use examples: yoor cure meadow (MEH-doh) enemy (EH-nuh-mee) Consonants b bat, job but ch chop, itch diet (DY-et) d dig, bed ee feet, neat f fur, tough, calf i sit, igloo g grape, big ih (used at the end of a syllable or when h happy standing alone) j joke, nudge examples: k kite, car, tack chicken (CHIH-ken) l , sell miracle (MIHR-ih-kuhl) m move, jam but n not, knee picnic (PIK-nik) ng ring p play, hop ihr near, here r rain, fur y fire, idol s set, tips eye (used at the beginning of a syllable or ss bus, guess, fence when standing alone) sh shy, fish examples: t toy, boat iron (EYE-urn) th breath chloride (KLOR-eyed) v vine, have but w walk, where silent (SY-luhnt) y yes z zip, jazz, has zh measure

A acute (uh-KYOOT): refers to artificial bladder (AR-tuh-FIH- conditions that happen suddenly shuhl) (BLAD-ur): a bladder and last a short time. Acute is grown in a laboratory and the opposite of chronic, or long transplanted into a patient’s lasting. to replace a diseased bladder. The term is also ADH (AY-DEE-AYTCH): see occasionally used to describe a antidiuretic hormone. bladder substitute. albuminuria (al-BYOO-min-YOO- artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) ree-uh): a condition in which (AR-tuh-FIH-shuhl) (YOOR- the has more than normal ih-NAIR-ee) (SFINGK-tur): an amounts of a protein called implanted device for men that albumin. Albuminuria may be a keeps the closed until sign of kidney disease. the wearer is ready to urinate. amino acids (uh-MEE-noh) (ASS- The device consists of a cuff that idz): the basic building blocks fits around the urethra, a small of proteins. The body produces balloon reservoir placed in the many amino acids and others , and a pump placed in come from food, which the body the . breaks down for use by the cells. See protein. Pressure- regulating (AN-tee-by-OT-ik): a balloon medicine that kills . antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (AN- tee-DY-yoo-RET-ik) (HOR- Cuff mohn): a natural body chemical that slows down the production of urine. Some children who wet the bed regularly may lack normal amounts of antidiuretic Pump hormone. Also called vasopressin. (an-YOO-ree-uh): a Artificial urinary sphincter condition in which the body stops making urine. 1 A–B AUS (AY-YOO-ESS): see artificial bacteria (bak-TIHR-ee-uh): tiny urinary sphincter. organisms that cause or disease. autoimmune disease (AW-toh- ih-MYOON) (dih-ZEEZ): a (bak-TIHR-ee-YOO- disorder of the body’s immune ree-uh): a condition in which system in which the immune the urine contains bacteria. system mistakenly attacks and balloon dilation (buh-LOON) destroys body tissue it believes to (dy-LAY-shuhn): a treatment be foreign. for benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlargement. A tiny balloon is inflated inside the urethra to make it wider so urine can flow more freely from the bladder. benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (bee-NYN) (pross-TAT-ik) (hy-pur-PLAY-zhee-uh): an enlarged prostate not caused by . BPH can cause problems with because the enlarged prostate squeezes the urethra at the opening of the bladder. (BY-oh-FEED-bak): a way of training a patient to control muscles such as the bladder control muscles with the use of electronic devices that monitor muscle and impulses. The electronic devices convert nerve impulses into sound or visual signals so the patient knows when he or she is performing the correct action.

2 B (BY-op-see): a procedure in bladder substitute (BLAD-ur) which a tiny piece of tissue, such (SUHB-stih-toot): a urinary as from the kidney or bladder, is diversion in which urine is stored removed for examination with a in an internal pouch made from microscope. the patient’s bowel. The pouch is connected to the patient’s bladder (BLAD-ur): the balloon- urethra rather than a . pelvis shaped inside the Also called a neobladder. See that holds urine. continent cutaneous reservoir.

Bladder neck

Strong pelvic Bladder muscles substitute

Urethral sphincter Urethra Urethra

Bladder Bladder substitute bladder control (BLAD-ur) (kon- bladder training (BLAD-ur) TROHL): see continence. (TRAYN-ing): a strategy for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) making the bladder able to hold (BLAD-ur) (OUT-let) (ob- more urine for longer periods STRUHK-shuhn): any blockage of time using timed voiding and at the urethra or the opening of Kegel exercises. the bladder.

3 B blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (bluhd) bulking agent (BUHLK-ing) (AY- (yoo-REE-uh) (NY-troh-jen): a jent): a substance injected into waste product in the blood that the urethra around the opening comes from the breakdown of of the bladder to treat protein. The kidneys filter blood . Bulking to remove urea. As kidney agents include collagen, silicon, function decreases, the BUN and Teflon. level increases. BOO (BEE-OH-OH): see bladder outlet obstruction.

BPH (BEE-PEE-AYTCH): see Injected Urethra benign prostatic hyperplasia. collagen

Probe to guide needle placement

Injection needle

Injection of collagen as a bulking agent

BUN (BEE-YOO-EN): see blood urea nitrogen.

4 C calcium (KAL-see-uhm): a mineral chronic (KRON-ik): refers to the body needs for strong disorders that last a long time, and teeth. Calcium may form often years. Chronic kidney stones in the kidney. disease may develop over many years and lead to end-stage renal calcium oxalate stone (KAL-see- disease. Chronic is the opposite uhm) (OK-suh-layt) (stohn): a of acute, or brief. kidney stone made from calcium and oxalate. chronic (KRON- ik) (PROSS-tuh-TY-tiss): (KATH-uh-tur): a thin, of the prostate gland flexible tube inserted through that develops slowly and lasts a urethra bladder the to the to long time. drain urine. Placement of the catheter is called catheterization. clean catch urine specimen (kleen) (kach) (YOOR-in) (SPESS-uh- muhn): a urine sample obtained Bladder after the area around the opening of the urethra has been cleaned. A clean catch specimen is taken in the middle of the urine stream so any remaining Urethra bacteria are flushed away. See midstream urine collection. collagen (KOL-luh-jen): a threadlike protein in and animals, sometimes used as a bulking agent to treat urinary Catheter incontinence. continence (KON-tih-nenss): the Catheter ability to control the timing of urination or a bowel movement.

5 C continent cutaneous reservoir cryptorchidism (krip-TOR-kih- (KON-tih-nent) (kyoo-TAY-nee- dizm): undescended . uhss) (REZ-ur-vwar): a urinary In most boys, the testicles diversion in which urine is stored descend from the abdomen in an internal pouch made from into the scrotum during fetal a portion of the patient’s bowel. development. This condition is Urine is removed by inserting rare. a catheter through the stoma to (sist): an abnormal sac drain the urine. Different kinds containing gas, fluid, or a of continent cutaneous reservoirs semisolid material. may include the and form in the kidneys or in other the Kock pouch. parts of the body. cystine stone (SISS-teen) (stohn): a rare form of kidney stone consisting of the amino acid cystine. (SISS-tih-NYOO-ree- uh): a condition in which urine contains high levels of the amino Internal acid cystine. If cystine does not pouch dissolve in the urine, it can build up to form kidney stones. cystitis (siss-TY-tiss): inflammation Stoma of the bladder, causing pain and a burning feeling in the pelvis or urethra. Continent cutaneous reservoir

6 C–D (SISS-toh-seel): a fallen DDAVP (DEE-DEE-AY-VEE-PEE): bladder. A bladder that falls or see desmopressin. sags from its normal position desmopressin (DESS-moh-PRESS- down to the can in): a synthetic form of antidiuretic result in either urinary leakage hormone used to treat or . and diabetes insipidus. Also called cystometrogram (SISS-toh-MET- DDAVP. roh-gram): a line graph that (dee-TROO-sor) records pressure (MUHSS-uhl): a muscle that at various volumes. pushes a liquid or substance out cystoplasty (SISS-toh-PLASS- of an organ. The muscle in the tee): to reconstruct a bladder wall is a detrusor muscle. damaged urinary bladder. diabetes (DY-uh-BEE-teez): a cystoscope (SISS-toh-skohp): a condition characterized by high tubelike instrument used to blood glucose, resulting from look inside the urethra and the body’s inability to use blood bladder. The procedure is called glucose for energy. In type 1 . diabetes, the no longer makes insulin, and therefore cystourethrogram (SISS-toh-yoo- glucose cannot enter the cells REETH-roh-gram): an x-ray to be used for energy. In type 2 urinary tract image of the taken diabetes, either the pancreas does during urination. not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use insulin correctly. diabetes insipidus (DY-uh-BEE-teez) (in-SIH-puh-duhss): a condition characterized by frequent and heavy urination, excessive thirst, and an overall feeling of weakness. This condition may be caused by a defect in the or the kidney. In diabetes insipidus, blood glucose levels are normal. See nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

7 D–E digital (DRE) ectopic kidney (ek-TOP-ik) (KID- (DIH-juh-tuhl) (REK-tuhl) nee): a birth defect in which a (ek-ZAM-ih-NAY-shuhn): a kidney is in an abnormal position. procedure in which the examiner inserts a lubricated, gloved finger ED (EE-DEE): see erectile into the patient’s to feel dysfunction. the prostate, , or other (ee-JAK-yoo-LAY- internal organs. shuhn): the sudden release of diuretic (DY-yoo-RET-ik): an semen through the during oral medicine that lowers blood sexual climax. pressure by aiding the kidneys in electrical stimulation (ee-LEK- removing fluid from the blood. truh-kuhl) (STIM-yoo-LAY- DRE (DEE-AR-EE): see digital shun): the use of a mild rectal examination. electrical current applied to the that control the dysfunctional voiding (diss- bladder to treat urinary and fecal FUHNK-shuhn-uhl) (VOYD- incontinence. ing): a person’s inability to relax the appropriate muscles when end-stage renal disease (ESRD) trying to urinate or the inability (END-STAYJ) (REE-nuhl) (dih- to control spasms and leakage ZEEZ): total and permanent when trying to hold urine in kidney failure. When the the bladder. This condition kidneys fail, the body retains is most common in children. fluid. Harmful wastes build Dysfunctional voiding may be up. A person with ESRD needs caused by nerve damage, but it is treatment to replace the work of often the result of poor voiding the failed kidneys. habits, such as delaying a trip endoscope (EN-doh-skohp): any to the bathroom because the tubelike instrument used to look child is engaged in an enjoyable inside the body. Endoscopes activity. used for urologic exams include the cystoscope and the ureteroscope.

8 E–F enuresis (EN-yoo-REE-siss): frequency (FREE-kwen-see): urinary incontinence not caused see urinary frequency. by a physical disorder. The term functional incontinence (FUNK- enuresis is usually used as a shun-uhl) (in-KON-tih-nenss): synonym for bedwetting, although incontinence caused by physical the term can also be used to disability, external obstacles, describe daytime incontinence. or problems in thinking or Daytime incontinence is called communicating that prevent a . Bedwetting, or person from reaching a toilet nighttime incontinence, is called in time. . erectile dysfunction (ED) (ee-REK- tyl) (diss-FUHNK-shuhn): the inability to get or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Also called impotence. erection (ee-REK-shuhn): enlargement and hardening of the penis caused by increased blood flow into the penis and decreased blood flow out of it as a result of sexual excitement. ESRD (EE-ESS-AR-DEE): see end- stage renal disease. ESWL (EE-ESS-DUHB-uhl-YOO- EL): see extracorporeal shock wave . extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (EKS-truh-kor-POH- ree-uhl) (shok) (wayv) (LITH- oh-TRIP-see): a nonsurgical procedure using shock waves to break up kidney stones.

9 G–H genitals (JEN-ih-tuhls): sex organs, (HEE-muh-TYOO-ree- including the penis and testicles uh): blood in the urine, which can in men and the , , and be a sign of a kidney stone or other in women. urinary problem. glucose (GLOO-kohss): one of the hormone (HOR-mohn): a natural simplest forms of sugar. chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to trigger or regulate particular body functions. Antidiuretic hormone tells the kidneys to slow down urine production. (HY-droh-neh- FROH-siss): backup and buildup of extra urine within the kidney and , usually because something is blocking urine from flowing into or out of thebladder.

10 H hydroureter (HY-droh-YOOR-uh- hyperoxaluria (HY-pur-OK-suh- tur): backup and buildup of extra LYOO-ree-uh): unusually large urine within the , usually amounts of oxalate in the urine, because something is blocking leading to kidney stones. urine from flowing into or out of hyperplaysia (hy-pur-PLAY-zhee- the bladder. uh): growth of cells that do not lead to cancer in an organ or other tissues. See benign prostatic hyperplasia. hypospadias (HY-poh-SPAY-dee- uhss): a birth defect in which Hydronephrosis the opening of the urethra, called the , is on the underside of the penis instead of Hydroureter at the tip.

Hydronephrosis and hydroureter hypercalciuria (HY-pur-KAL-see- YOO-ree-uh): abnormally large amounts of calcium in the urine, leading to kidney stones.

11 I IC (EYE-SEE): see intermittent immunosuppressant (IM-yoo-noh- catheterization and interstitial soo-PRESS-uhnt): a drug given cystitis. to stop the natural responses of the body’s . ileal conduit (IL-ee-uhl) (KON- Immunosuppressants are given doo-it): a kind of urostomy in to prevent organ rejection which a section of the bowel in people who have received is surgically removed from the a transplant—for example, digestive tract and repositioned a kidney transplant—and to to serve as a passage for urine people with certain autoimmune from the kidneys and to diseases, such as lupus. a stoma. impotence (IM-puh-tenss): see erectile dysfunction. incontinence (in-KON-tih-nenss): Ureters loss of bladder or bowel control; the accidental loss of urine or stool. Indiana pouch (IN-dee-AN-uh) (powch): see continent cutaneous Stoma reservoir. indwelling urinary catheter (IN- Ileal conduit dweh-ling) (YOOR-ih-NAIR- ee) (KATH-uh-tur): a catheter placed in the bladder and urethra Ileal conduit urostomy to release and collect urine over long periods of time. immune system (ih-MYOON) (SISS-tuhm): the body’s system inflammation (IN-fluh-MAY- for protecting itself from viruses shuhn): swelling and redness and bacteria or any foreign that results from injury to tissue. substances. insulin (IN-suh-lin): a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy.

12 I–K intermittent catheterization (IC) Kegel exercises (KEG-uhl) (EK-sur- (IN-tur-MIT-ent) (KATH-uh- SYZ-iz): tightening and relaxing tur-eye-ZAY-shuhn): short-term the muscles that hold urine in use of a catheter to release and the bladder and hold the bladder collect urine. The catheter is in its proper position. These removed as soon as the bladder is exercises can improve a person’s completely empty. ability to hold in urine. Also called pelvic muscle exercises. (IC) (IN-tur- STISH-uhl) (siss-TY-tiss): a kidney (KID-nee): one of the two disorder that causes the bladder bean-shaped organs that filter wall to become swollen and wastes from the blood. The irritated, leading to scarring kidneys are located near the and stiffening of the bladder, middle of the back, one on each decreased bladder capacity, side of the spine. They create and, in rare cases, ulcers in the urine, which is delivered to the bladder lining. IC is also called bladder through tubes called painful bladder syndrome. ureters. intravenous (IN-truh- VEE-nuhss) (PY-el-oh-GRAM): an x ray of the urinary tract. A dye is injected into a in the patient’s arm, travels through the body to the kidneys, and makes urine visible on the x ray and to show any blockage in the urinary tract. irrigation (IHR-ih-GAY-shuhn): flushing the bladder or a continent cutaneous reservoir using a stream of water delivered through a catheter.

13 K–L kidney stone (KID-nee) (stohn): lithotripsy (LITH-oh-TRIP-see): a a stone that develops from method of breaking up kidney crystals that form in urine and stones by using shock waves or build up on the inner surfaces other means. of the kidney, in the renal lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) pelvis, or in the ureters. Kidney (LOH-wur) (YOOR-ih-NAIR- stones include calcium oxalate stones, cystine stones, struvite ee) (trakt) (SIMP-tuhmz): urinary symptoms—such as stones, and uric acid stones. See urinary frequency urgency, nephrolithiasis. and difficulty starting a stream, and incomplete voiding—that suggest urinary problems, such as benign Golf ball-sized prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract and brown infection, or kidney stones. LUTS (lootss): see lower urinary tract symptoms.

Jagged and yellow

Small and smooth

Kinds of kidney stones

Kock pouch (kohk) (powch): see continent cutaneous reservoir.

14 M–N (MEG-uh-YOOR-uh- needle ablation (NEE-duhl) (ab- tur): see hydroureter. LAY-shuhn): see TUNA under transurethral. micturition (MIK-choo-RISH-uhn): the act of urinating. neobladder (NEE-oh-BLAD-ur): see bladder substitute. midstream urine collection (MID- streem) (YOOR-in) (kuh-LEK- (neh-FREK-toh-mee): shuhn): a method used to obtain surgical removal of a kidney. a clean catch urine specimen. The nephritis (neh-FRY-tiss): patient starts a stream of urine inflammation of the kidneys. into the toilet, and then catches the urine in a sample cup as the nephrogenic diabetes insipidus stream continues. (NEF-roh-JEN-ik) (DY-uh- BEE-teez) (in-SIH-puh-duhss): mixed urinary incontinence (miksd) constant thirst and frequent (YOOR-ih-NAIR-ee) (in-KON- urination because the kidney tih-nenss): a combination of tubules cannot respond to different types of incontinence, antidiuretic hormone. The result usually stress urinary incontinence is an increase in urine formation and urge urinary incontinence. and excessive urine flow. nephrolithiasis (NEF-roh-lih-THY- uh-siss): the condition of having kidney stones.

15 N (NEF-ron): a tiny part of nephrotic syndrome (nef-ROT-ik) the kidneys. Each kidney is made (SIN-drohm): a collection of up of about 1 million , symptoms that indicate kidney which are the working units of damage. Symptoms include high the kidneys, removing wastes levels of protein in the urine, lack and extra fluids from the blood. of protein in the blood, and high blood cholesterol.

Clean blood nephropathy (neh-FROP-uh-thee): Blood with disease of the kidneys. wastes neurogenic bladder (NOO-roh- JEN-ik) (BLAD-ur): loss of bladder control caused by damage to the nerves controlling the bladder. (nokt-YOO-ree-uh): at night. nuclear scan (NOO-klee-ur) (skan): a test of the structure, Wastes (urine) to the bladder blood flow, and function of the kidneys. The doctor injects a mildly radioactive into a patient’s arm vein and uses x rays to monitor its progress through the kidneys.

Tubule

Nephron

Nephron

16 O–P OAB (OH-AY-BEE): see overactive painful bladder syndrome (PBS) bladder. (PAYN-fuhl) (BLAD-ur) (SIN- drohm): see interstitial cystitis. (OAB) (OH-vur- AK-tiv) (BLAD-ur): a condition pancreas (PAN-kree-uhss): an in which the patient experiences organ that makes insulin and at least two of the following enzymes for digestion. The conditions: pancreas is located behind the • lower part of the and is about the size of a hand. • urge urinary incontinence PBS (PEE-BEE-ESS): see painful • urinary frequency—defined bladder syndrome and interstitial for this condition as urination cystitis. eight or more times a day or more than twice at night pelvic floor muscles (PEL-vik) (flor) (MUHSS-uhlz): muscles overflow urinary incontinence (OH- that support the bladder, bowel, vur-floh) (YOOR-ih-NAIR-ee) and uterus. (in-KON-tih-nenss): unexpected leakage of small amounts of pelvic muscle exercises (PME) urine because of a full bladder. (PEL-vik) (MUHSS-uhl) (EK- sur-SYZ-iz): see Kegel exercises. oxalate (OK-suh-layt): a chemical that combines with calcium in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (PEL- urine to form calcium oxalate vik) (OR-guhn) (PROH-laps): stones, the most common type of sinking of the bladder, bowel, kidney stone. and uterus out of their normal positions.

17 P pelvis (PEL-viss): the bowl-shaped (PESS-uh-ree): a specially that supports the spine and designed object worn in the holds up the digestive, urinary, vagina to hold the bladder, and reproductive organs. The rectum, or uterus in its correct legs connect to the body at the position and prevent leakage of pelvis. urine. come in many shapes and sizes. Peyronie’s disease (pay-roh-NEEZ) (dih-ZEEZ): a plaque, or Urine hardened area, that forms on Bladder the penis, preventing that area muscle Urethra from stretching. During erection, the penis bends in the direction of the plaque, or the plaque may lead to indentation and shortening of the penis. pituitary gland (pih-TOO-ih-TAIR- ee) (gland): a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that regulates the body’s balance of Sphincter muscles hormones. Pelvic floor muscles PME (PEE-EM-EE): see pelvic muscle exercises. Pelvis (POL-ee-YOO-ree-uh): overproduction of urine by the penis (PEE-niss): the male organ kidneys, resulting in excessive used for urination and sex. urination. percutaneous nephrolithotomy POP (PEE-OH-PEE): see pelvic (PUR-kyoo-TAY-nee-uhss) organ prolapse. (NEF-roh-lih-THOT-uh-mee): a method for removing kidney stones via surgery through a small incision in the back.

18 P posterior urethral valves (PUV) prostatitis (PROSS-tuh-TY-tiss): (poss-TIHR-ee-ur) (yoo-REE- inflammation of the prostate thruhl) (valvz): a birth defect in gland. Chronic prostatitis boys in which an abnormal fold means the prostate gets of tissue in the urethra keeps inflamed repeatedly. The most urine from flowing freely out of common form of prostatitis is the bladder. not associated with any known infecting organism. postvoid residual (PVR) (POHST- voyd) (ree-ZID-yoo-uhl): urine protein (PROH-teen): 1. one that remains in the bladder after of the three main nutrients urination. in food. Foods that provide protein include meat, poultry, priapism (PRY-uh-pizm): a fish, cheese, milk, dairy persistent, often painful erection products, eggs, and dried beans. of the penis not caused by sexual 2. proteins are also used in desire. the body for cell structure, prostate (PROSS-tayt): in men, fighting infection, and other a walnut-shaped gland that functions. After the body’s cells surrounds the urethra at the neck use protein, it is broken down of the bladder. The prostate into waste products containing supplies fluid that goes into nitrogen that must be removed semen. by the kidneys. The blood absorbs amino acids and uses prostatectomy (PROSS-tuh-TEK- them to build and mend cells. tuh-mee): removal of the entire prostate gland. proteinuria (proh-teen-YOO-ree- uh): a condition in which the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) urine contains large amounts of (PROSS-tayt) (spuh-SIF-ik) protein, a sign that the kidneys (AN-tih-jen): a protein made are not functioning properly. only by the prostate gland. High levels of PSA in the blood may PSA (PEE-ESS-AY): see prostate- be a sign of . specific antigen. pus (puhss): thick yellow or white fluid containing white blood cells and other tissues.

19 P–R PUV (PEE-YOO-VEE): see renal (REE-nuhl): of or relating to posterior urethral valves. the kidneys. A renal disease is a disease of the kidneys. Renal PVP (PEE-VEE-PEE): see failure means the kidneys have transurethral. stopped working properly. PVR postvoid (PEE-VEE-AR): see renal pelvis (REE-nuhl) (PEL- residual. viss): the area where urine pyelogram (PY-el-oh-GRAM): an formed by the kidneys is x ray using injected dye that collected and excreted before it shows the urinary tract, including travels to the ureters and bladder. kidneys, ureters, bladder, the and reflux (REE-fluhks): see urethra. . pyelonephritis (PY-uh-loh-neh- retention (ree-TEN-shuhn): see FRY-tiss): an infection of the urinary retention. kidneys, usually caused by a germ that has traveled up through the urethra, bladder, and ureters from outside the body. pyuria (py-YOO-ree-uh): pus in the urine, often a sign of a or other condition.

20 S sling procedure (sling) (proh- stone (stohn): see kidney stone. SEE-jur): a surgical procedure stool: the solid waste that passes to treat female stress urinary through the rectum as a bowel incontinence in which a strip of movement. Stool is undigested material is wrapped around the food, bacteria, mucus, and dead urethra for support. cells. Also called feces. sphincter (SFINGK-tur): a round stress test: a simple test in which muscle that opens and closes to the patient coughs to see if the let fluid or other matter pass into internal stress of that action or out of an organ. Sphincter causes urine to leak from the muscles keep the bladder closed bladder. until it is time to urinate. stress urinary incontinence (stress) : a small tube placed inside (YOOR-ih-NAIR-ee) (in-KON- a passage, such as the urethra tih-nenss): leakage of urine or a blood vessel, to keep that caused by actions—such as passage open. coughing, laughing, sneezing, stoma (STOH-muh): a surgically running, or lifting—that place created opening in the abdomen pressure on the bladder from that allows passage of urine or inside the body. Stress urinary stool. Urinary stomas must be incontinence can result from covered at all times by a pouch either a cystocele or weak that collects urine. sphincter muscles. stricture (STRIK-choor): narrowing of a bodily passage, such as a ureter or the urethra. struvite stone (STROO-vyt) (stohn): a type of kidney stone caused by infection.

Stoma

21 T testicles (TESS-tih-kuhls): the two • TUIP (transurethral incision of male glands below the penis that the prostate): widening of the make sperm. urethra by making a few small cuts in the bladder neck—where timed voiding or toileting: the the urethra joins the bladder— practice of urinating or taking and in the prostate gland itself. someone to the bathroom at set times to increase the bladder’s • TUMT (transurethral capacity to hold more urine for microwave thermotherapy): longer periods of time. procedure that destroys excess prostate tissue interfering with transient incontinence (TRAN- the exit of urine from the body see-uhnt) (in-KON-tih-nenss): by using a probe in the urethra to incontinence that lasts a short deliver microwaves. time. Transient incontinence is usually caused by a temporary condition, such as a urinary tract infection. transurethral (TRANZ-yoo-REE- TUMT thruhl): through the urethra. catheter Several transurethral procedures are treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Prostate

• PVP (photoselective Microwaves vaporization of the prostate): destruction of excess prostate tissue interfering with the exit of TUMT urine from the body by using a controlled laser beam inside the • TUNA (transurethral needle prostate. ablation): technique that destroys excess prostate tissue with electromagnetically generated heat by using a needlelike device in the urethra.

22 T–U • TURP (transurethral resection UI (YOO-EYE): see urinary of the prostate): removal of incontinence. the excess prostate tissue using an instrument with an electrical (UHL-truh-sound): a loop. technique that bounces safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure. UPJ (YOO-PEE-JAY): see ureteropelvic junction. urea (yoo-REE-uh): a waste product found in the blood that results from the normal breakdown of protein in the . Urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine. TURP (yoo-REE-tur-oh-seel): TUIP (TEE-YOO-EYE-PEE): see a birth defect in which a ureter transurethral. swells where it empties into the bladder, often blocking the flow TUMT (TEE-YOO-EM-TEE): see of urine from the kidney. transurethral. TUNA (TEE-YOO-EN-AY or Bladder TOO-nuh): see transurethral. wall TURP (TEE-YOO-AR-PEE or turp): see transurethral. Ureter

Ureterocele

Ureterocele

23 U ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) (yoo- (yoo-REE-tur-OSS- REE-tur-oh-PEL-vik) (JUHNK- tuh-mee): a form of urostomy shuhn): the point where a ureter in which the ureters are directly joins the kidney. connected to the stoma. ureteropelvic junction obstruction ureters (YOOR-uh-turz): tubes (yoo-REE-tur-oh-PEL-vik) that carry urine from the kidneys (JUHNK-shuhn) (ob-STRUHK- to the bladder. shuhn): blockage of urine at the urethra ureteropelvic junction, causing the (yoo-REE-thruh): the urine kidney to swell. tube that carries from the bladder to the outside of the body. urethral obstruction (yoo-REE- thrul) (ob-STRUHK-shuhn): a blockage in the urethra. A kidney stone is the most common cause. (YOO-ruh-THRY-tiss): inflammation of the urethra. urge urinary incontinence (urj) (YOOR-ih-NAIR-ee) (in-KON- UPJ tih-nenss): urinary leakage obstruction when the bladder contracts unexpectedly. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction uric acid stone (YOOR-ik) (ASS- id) (stohn): a kidney stone that may result from a diet high in ureteroscope (yoo-REE-tur-oh- animal protein. When the body skohp): a tool for examining breaks down this protein, uric the bladder and ureters and for acid levels rise and can form removing kidney stones through stones. the urethra. The procedure is called .

24 U urinalysis (YOOR-ih-NAL-ih-siss): urinary retention (YOOR-ih- a test of a urine sample that can NAIR-ee) (ree-TEN-shuhn): the reveal many problems of the inability to empty the bladder urinary tract and other body completely. systems. The sample may be urinary tract (YOOR-ih-NAIR- observed for color, cloudiness, ee) (trakt): the system that concentration; signs of drug use; takes wastes from the blood and chemical composition, including carries them out of the body in glucose; the presence of protein, the form of urine. The urinary blood cells, or bacteria; or other tract includes the kidneys, renal signs of disease. , ureters, bladder, and urinary calculi (YOOR-ih-NAIR- urethra. ee) (KAL-kyoo-ly): see kidney urinary tract infection (UTI) stones. (YOOR-ih-NAIR-ee) (trakt) (in- (YOOR-ih- FEK-shuhn): an illness caused NAIR-ee) (duh-VUR-zhuhn): by harmful bacteria growing in a way to release urine from the the urinary tract. body when the bladder does urinary urgency (YOOR-ih-NAIR- not function properly. Urinary ee) (UR-jen-see): inability to diversions include urostomy, delay urination. continent cutaneous reservoir, and bladder substitute, or neobladder. urinate (YOOR-ih-nayt): to release urine from the bladder to the urinary frequency (YOOR-ih- outside of the body. NAIR-ee) (FREE-kwen-see): urination eight or more times a urine (YOOR-in): liquid waste day. product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the urinary incontinence (UI) (YOOR- bladder, and expelled from the ih-NAIR-ee) (in-KON-tih- body through the urethra by the nenss): loss of bladder control; act of voiding or urinating. See the accidental loss of urine. urinate and void.

25 U urodynamic tests (YOOR-oh-dy- urostomy (yoor-OSS-toh-mee): an NAM-ik) (tests): tests that opening through the skin into measure the bladder’s ability to the urinary tract to allow urine to hold and release urine. drain when voiding through the urethra is not possible. uroflow test (YOOR-oh-floh) (test): measurement of the rate at which urine flows out of the body. A lower than normal rate can indicate blockage. Ureters urogynecologist (YOOR-oh-GY- nuh-KOL-uh-jist): a doctor who is trained in and gynecology and specializes in female urinary problems. Stoma urolithiasis (YOOR-oh-lih-THY- uh-siss): the condition of having Ileal conduit stones in the urinary tract. urologist (yoo-ROL-uh-jist): a Urostomy doctor who specializes in urinary problems. uterus (YOO-tuhr-uhss): female organ, located in the pelvis, where a baby develops before birth. Also called a womb. UTI (YOO-TEE-EYE): see urinary tract infection.

26 V–W vagina (vuh-JY-nuh): the tube in a womb (woom): see uterus. woman’s body that runs beside the urethra and connects the womb, or uterus, to the outside of the body. Sometimes called the birth canal. vasopressin (VAY-soh-PRESS-in): see antidiuretic hormone. VCUG (VEE-SEE-YOO-JEE): see voiding cystourethrogram. vesicoureteral reflux (VESS-ih-koh- yoo-REE-tur-uhl) (REE-fluhks): an abnormal condition in which urine backs up into the ureters, and occasionally into the kidneys, raising the risk of infection. void: to urinate; to empty the bladder. voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) (VOYD-ing) (SISS-toh-yoo- REETH-roh-gram): an x-ray image of the bladder and urethra taken during voiding. The bladder and urethra are filled with a special fluid to make the urethra clearly visible. vulva (VUHL-vuh): the outer part of the female genitals.

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National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse 3 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892–3580 Phone: 1–800–891–5390 TTY: 1–866–569–1162 Fax: 703–738–4929 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.urologic.niddk.nih.gov The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1987, the Clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NKUDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about kidney and urologic diseases. Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was reviewed by Christine Bradway, Ph.D., C.R.N.P., University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and Jane Hokanson Hawks, Ph.D., R.N., B.C., Nebraska Methodist College.

This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired. This publication is available at www.urologic.niddk.nih.gov.

This publication may contain information about . When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health

NIH Publication No. 10–4376 May 2010