U
ultrasound:
A technique that bounces safe,
painless sound waves off organs to create an image of
their structure.
urea (yoo-REE-uh):
A waste product found in the
blood and caused by the normal breakdown of protein in
the liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by
the kidneys and then excreted in the
urine. Urea accumulates in the body of
people with kidney failure.
uremia (yoo-REE-mee-uh):
The illness associated with the
buildup of urea in the blood because the
kidneys are not working effectively.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,
weakness, and mental confusion.
ureteroscope
(yoo-REE-tur-uh-scope):
A tool for examining the
bladder and ureters and
for removing kidney stones through the
urethra. The procedure is called
ureteroscopy (yoo-ree-tur-AH-skoh-pee).
ureters
(YOOR-uh-turs):
Tubes that carry
urine from the kidneys to
the bladder.
urethra
(yoo-REE-thrah):
The tube that carries
urine from the bladder to
the outside of the body.
uric (YOOR-ik) acid
stone:
A kidney stone
that may result from a diet high in animal protein.
When the body breaks down this protein, uric acid
levels rise and can form stones.
urinalysis
(yoor-in-AL-ih-sis):
A test of a urine sample that
can reveal many problems of the urinary
tract and other body systems. The sample may
be observed for color, cloudiness, concentration;
signs of drug use; chemical composition, including
glucose; the presence of protein, blood cells, or
germs; or other signs of disease.
urinary
(YOOR-ih-NEHR-ee) tract:
The system that takes wastes
from the blood and carries them out of the body in the
form of urine. The urinary tract
includes the kidneys,
renal pelvises,
ureters, bladder, and
urethra.
urinary tract infection
(UTI):
An illness caused by harmful
bacteria growing in the urinary tract.
urinate
(YOOR-ih-nate):
To release urine
from the bladder to the outside.
urine (YOOR-in):
Liquid waste product filtered
from the blood by the kidneys, stored in
the bladder, and expelled from the body
through the urethra by the act of
voiding or urinating.
urolithiasis
(YOOR-oh-lih-THY-uh-sis):
Stones in the urinary
tract.
URR (urea reduction ratio):
A blood test that compares the
amount of blood urea nitrogen before and
after dialysis to measure the
effectiveness of the dialysis dose.
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V
vasculitis
(VAS-kyoo-LY-tis):
Inflammation of the blood vessel
walls. This can cause rash and disease in multiple
organs of the body, including the
kidneys.
vesicoureteral
(VESS-ih-koh-yoo-REE-ter-ul) reflux:
An abnormal condition in which
urine backs up into the
ureters, and occasionally into the
kidneys, raising the risk of infection.
void:
To urinate, empty
the bladder.
Wegener's granulomatosis
(GRAN-yoo-LOH-muh-TOH-sis):
An autoimmune
disease that damages the blood vessels and
causes disease in the lungs, upper respiratory tract,
and kidneys.
