| Ulcer |
an
open sore that occurs on the skin or on a mucous membrane
because of the destruction of surface tissue |
| Ulcerative
colitis |
a
chronic condition in which ulcers occur on the mucous membrane
lining of the colon (the end of the large intestine) and the
rectum |
| Ultrasound
scanning |
an
imaging procedure used to examine internal organs in which
high-frequency sound waves are passed into the body, reflected
back, and used to build an image; also sometimes called sonography |
| Ultraviolet
light |
a
form of invisible light in sunlight that is responsible for
the tanning and burning of skin and can cause cataracts and
skin cancer |
| Umbilical
cord |
the
tubal structure (consisting of two arteries and one vein)
that connects the fetus to the placenta, supplying the fetus
with oxygen and nutrients and removing some waste products |
| Umbilical
hernia |
a
condition present at birth in which a part of the baby's intestines
bulge through a weak area of the abdominal wall, creating
a swelling around the navel |
| Unconsciousness |
a
temporary or prolonged loss of awareness of self and of surroundings |
| Undescended
testicle |
a
testicle that has not moved down from the abdomen, where it
develops, into the scrotum |
| Unsaturated
fat |
a
fat or oil found mainly in vegetables; thought to reduce the
risk of coronary heart disease |
| Urea |
a
waste product of the metabolism of proteins that is formed
by the liver and secreted by the kidneys |
| Uremia |
abnormally
high levels of waste products such as urea in the blood |
| Ureters |
two
tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder |
| Urethra |
the
tube by which urine is released from the bladder |
| Urethritis |
inflammation
of the urethra |
| Urethrocele |
a
bulging of the urethra into the vagina |
| Urethrocystitis |
inflammation
of the urethra and the bladder |
| Urinalysis |
a
group of physical and chemical tests done on a sample of urine
to check for various disorders, including those of the kidneys
and urinary tract |
| Urinary
diversion |
an
operation to allow urine passage when the bladder or urethra
has become blocked or been removed |
| Urinary
incontinence |
the
involuntary release of urine because of the inability to control
bladder muscles; may occur as a natural part of the aging
process or be caused by an injury or disorder |
| Urinary
tract |
the
structures in the body that are responsible for the production
and release of urine, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder,
and urethra |
| Urticaria |
an
allergic reaction in which itchy white lumps surrounded by
areas of inflammation appear on the skin; commonly called
"hives" |
| Uterine
prolapse |
a
condition in which the uterus moves downward into the vagina
due to a weakness of the ligaments and muscles that hold the
uterus in place |
| Uterus |
the
hollow female reproductive organ in which a fertilized egg
is implanted and a fetus develops |
| Uvea |
a
structure consisting of the colored area of the eye and the
middle layer of the eye that contains blood vessels |
| Uveitis |
inflammation
of the uvea |
