The Urology Dictionary
Albuminuria
A higher than normal volume of a protein called albumin in the urine, sometimes a symptom of kidney disease.
Androgens
Male sexual hormones.
Anejaculation
Failure to ejaculate.
Anuria
A condition in which the kidneys stop producing urine.
Aspermia
The absence of semen
Asthenozoospermia
When sperm cells have limited mobility, a possible cause of infertility
Azoospermia
The absence of sperm in the ejaculate
Balloon Dilation
A tiny balloon is inflated inside the urethra to improve urine flow . For treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement.
Corpus Cavernosum
The region of the penis which contains blood flow during erection
Cystine Stone:
A rare type of kidney stone made up of an amino acid known as cystine.
Cystinuria
High levels of cystine in the urine which can build up to form kidney stones.
Cystitis
An Inflammation of the bladder causing pain in the pelvis or urethra.
Ductus deferens
The duct which connects the testes and prostate gland.
Endoscope
Thin tube inserted to allow close inspection of iternal organs such as a kidney, ureter or bladder.
Enuresis
Urinary incontinence not related to any apparent physical disorder.
Erectile dysfunction
Difficulty attaining or sustaining an erection (Impotence).
Hematuria
Blood in urine.
Hydronephrosis
Swelling at the top of the ureter, usually caused by an obstruction preventing the flow of urine into or out of the bladder.
Hypercalciuria
Overabundance of calcium in the urine.
Hyperoxaluria
Overabuncance of oxalate in the urine, ultimately causing kidney stones.
Hypospadias
A congenital abnormality in which the opening of the urethra is located on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip.
Impotence
See erectile dysfunction.
Incontinence
The Involuntary excretion of urine or feces
Interstitial Cystitis
Sometimes called painful bladder syndrome, IC is a swelling of the bladder wall leading to scarring, decreased capacity, and in some cases, ulceration of the bladder lining.
Kegel Exercises
By clenching and relaxing the muscles that hold urine in the bladder and the bladder in its proper position, some women can overcome urinary incontinence
Kidney Stone
An obstruction casued by a build-up of crystals in the urine. Usually occurs on the inner surfaces of the kidney, the renal pelvis, or in the ureters.
Lithotripsy
A procedure to break up kidney stones through the use of shock waves or other means.
Microhaematuria
Blood in urine in quantities too small to be seen except with an electron microscope.
Micturition
Urination
Nephrolithiasis
Kidney stones,
Nephrotic Syndrome
The presence of high protein levels in the urine, lack of protein in the blood, and high blood cholesterol, leading to kidney damage.
Neurogenic Bladder
A loss of bladder control due to nerve damage
Overactive Bladder
A urinary control disorder caused by an involuntary contraction of the muscle in the bladder wall.
Oxalate
A chemical which, in combination with calcium in urine, makes up the most common type of kidney stone (calcium oxalate stone)
Pelvic Floor Muscles
Muscles that support the bladder and play a role in urinary control
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
A minimally invasive surgical method for removing kidney stones through a small incision in the back.
Pessary
A device inserted into the vagina to hold the bladder in position and prevent leakage of urine.
Peyronie’s Disease
Characterized by a curve or bend in the penis, Peyronie’s is caused by the presence of a plaque (hardened area) which preventis that area from stretching during erection.
Prostate Gland
A walnut-sized gland located in front of the male bladder that plays a role in the production of semen, the prostate gland is essential for healthy sexual function.
Proteinuria
An overabundance of protein in the urine indicating that the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Pyelonephritis
An infection that begins in the urinary tract and spreads to the kidneys, Pyelonephritis usually responds to antibiotics
Spermatic Ducts
A network of passages in which sperm are stored and transported from the testes into the urethra.
Struvite Stone
A type of kidney stone associated with urinary tract infections.
Teratozoospermia
The presence of abnormally shaped sperm in ejaculate, a common cause of intertility in men
Transurethral
Refers to surgical procedures conducted through the urethra.
Urea
A by-product of the breakdown of protein in the liver. urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and passed through urine.
Ureteroscope
A device which enables visibility of the bladder and ureters and the removal of kidney stones through the urethra (ureteroscopy).
Ureters
Passages that enable the movement of urine from the kidneys into the bladder.
Urethra
The passae through which urine travels from the bladder to be expelled from the body.
Urethritis
An iflammation of the urethra.
Urge Incontinence
An overwhelming need to pass urine caused by an involuntary contraction of the bladder.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):
An infection caused by the presence of bacteria in the urinary tract.
Uric Acid Stone
A type of kidney stone that may be caused by a diet high in animal protein, a metabolic disorder or a disease such as diabetes or gout
Urodynamic Test
A way to measure the bladder’s ability to hold and release urine, given to patients complaining of urinary incontinence
Uroflow Test:
A way to measure the volume and speed with which urine flows out of the body, used to detect the presence of an obstruction.
Urolithiasis
The presence of stones in the urinary tract.
Urostomy
A surgical opening and insertion of a tube into the urinary tract to allow urine to drain when voiding through the urethra is not possible.
Varicocele
A varicose vein of the testicle which usually occurs on the left side and can impair reproductive health in men.
Vesicoureteral Reflux
An abnormality in which urine flows back into the ureters and occasionally into the kidneys, raising the risk of infection.
Voiding Cystourethrogram
An x-ray image of the bladder and urethra made during the act of urination. The bladder and urethra are injected with a colored fluid for visibility.