Medical Terminology Glossary

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ulcer - an open lesion of the skin or a mucous membrane of the body with loss of substance and necrosis of the tissue

umbilical - pertaining to the umbilicus or navel

umbilicus - small scar on the abdomen that marks the former attachment of the umbilical cord to the fetus; also called the navel

uremia - the accumulation of toxic levels of urea and other nitrogenous waste products in the blood

ureter - one of two tubes that connect the kidney with the urinary bladder

urethra - the duct from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body; conveys urine in females and urine and semen in males

urinary bladder - a hollow, muscular organ, situated in the pelvic cavity posterior to the pubic symphysis

urobilinogenuria - the presence of urobilinogen in the urine

urogenital triangle - region of the pelvic floor below the symphysis pubis, bounded by the symphysis pubis and ischial tuberosities, and containing the external genitalia

urology - the specialized branch of medicine that deals with the structure, function, and diseases of the male and female urinary systems, as well as the male reproductive system

urticaria - a skin reaction to certain foods, drugs, or other substances to which a person may be allergic; hives

uterine tube - a duct that transports ova from the ovary to the uterus; also called the oviduct or Fallopian tube

uterosacral ligament - a fibrous band of tissue extending from the cervix of the uterus laterally to attach to the sacrum

uterovesical pouch - a shallow pouch formed by reflection of peritoneum from the anterior surface of the uterus, at the junction of the cervix and the body, to the posterior surface of the urinary bladder

uterus - hollow, muscular organ in females; it is the site of menstruation, implantation, fetal development, and labor; also called the womb

utricle - larger of two divisions of the membranous labyrinth located inside the vestibule of the inner ear; contains a receptor organ for static equilibrium

uvea - the three structures that together make up the vascular tunic of the eye

uvula - a soft, fleshy mass, especially the V-shaped pendant part, hanging down from the soft palate