UROLOGY GLOSSARY
This section is prepared to help the urology patients to understand the urology jargon. This includes the terms and phrases used by urologists while discussing the diseases and treatments. The exact definitions are sometimes more complicated to understand.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
A
Abdomen: part of the body cavity below the thorax (below diaphragm).
Abdominal aorta: main artery coming from its left part carrying oxygenated blood from which all other branches arise. It is divided into thoracic part- that is in the chest cavity and abdominal part that is in the abdomen.
Abscess: a localised collection of pus
Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): a deficiency of immunity (cell immunity) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1).
Acrosome: cap like area on the head of the sperm; This has to be shed before fertilization (acrosome reaction).
Acute: rapid onset.
Addison’s disease: insufficient secretion of steroids (corticosteroids) from adrenal gland.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): a hormone (polypeptide) produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates adrenal gland to secrete steroids.
Adenocarcinoma: cancer arising from glandular cells (Cells that form glands) (for example prostate cancer).
Acute Urinary Retention: inability to pass urine suddenly leading collection of urine in the bladder. Common causes include prostatic problems and narrowing of the urethra.
Alpha-feto Protein (AFP): a tumour marker used in the diagnosis and management of testicular cancer.
Alprostadil: a type of drug used in impotence. Administered either by injection (Caverjet) or by placing the drug in the urethra (MUSE).
Anaesthesia: a loss of feeling or sensation in a part or whole of the body temporarily or permanently. General anaesthesia refers to loss of consciousness by injection or by gases.
Analgesic: pain relieving drug.
Androgens: Group of steroid hormones that stimulate male sexual characteristics; testosterone is one of these hormones.
Anejaculation: inability to ejaculate.
Antibiotic: a substance produced by micro-organisms that destroys or stops the growth of other micro-organisms.
Antibody: a special protein called immunoglobulin (Ig) produced by the immune system that is found in blood or other body fluids. Antibodies neutralize foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses and can destroy even body cells both normal and abnormal.
Anticoagulant: a drug that prevents coagulation (Clotting) of the blood.
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) (Also called vasopressin): a hormone stored in the pituitary gland but originally synthesized in hypothalamus a part of the brain.
Antigen: any substance (internal or external) that causes the immune system to produce antibodies against it. An antigen may be a foreign substance from the environment such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen or from inside the body such as sperm.
Antimicrobial: any drug that destroys microbes (including bacteria) or prevents their action.
Antiseptic: a sufficiently non-toxic chemical to human that destroys or inhibits disease causing bacteria or other micro-organisms.
Antisperm antibodies: When sperm are exposed to human immune system (for example due to infection or vasectomy) the cells from the immune system produce proteins that destroy the sperm. These proteins are immunoglobulins and can be detected by tests during sperm analysis.
Anuria: failure of kidneys to produce urine.
Artery: a blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart. All arteries carry oxygenated blood except pulmonary (lung) arteries.
Asthenozoospermia: the medical term for poor sperm movement, or poor sperm motility. This problem could lead to male infertility.
Asymptomatic: showing no symptoms of a disease.
Azoospermia (Aspermia): complete absence of spermatozoa from semen.
B
Basal Metabolism: Minimum amount of energy that is required to keep the body’s vital functions going. The rate at which it is done is called Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) which is 1.7 calories per day.
BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin): a strain of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria that has lost the potential to cause TB but retains its ability to prepare immune system against tuberculosis by its antigenic ability. Used to protect against TB but also in certain cancers particularly certain types of bladder cancer.
Bacteria: single cell microorganisms with wide range of shapes- spherical, rod shaped, spiral, comma shaped or cork-screw appearance.
Bacteraemia: presence of bacteria in the blood.
Bacteriuria: presence of bacteria in the urine.
Balanitis: inflammation of glans penis or head of the clitoris.
Balanoposthitis: inflammation of glans penis and foreskin.
Benign (in relation tumour): a tumour that does not invade, destroy its tissue of origin and spread to other sites.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)/Benign Enlargement of Prostate (BEP): see Prostate.
Bladder (Urinary): a hollow organ in the pelvis which collects and evacuates urine.
Bicalutamide: a type of drug that blocks the action of testosterone by binding to its receptors.
Bilarziasis: see schistosmiasis.
Biphosphonates (also called diphosphonates): a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass (resorption). In urology they are used in pain relief of cancer when the cancer has spread to the bone and to lower the calcium levels.
Bladder augmentation: a surgical technique to increase capacity of the bladder by using bowel. Ileocystoplasty- segment of small bowel; colocystoplasty: a segment of colon.
Bladder neck Incision (BNI): a procedure in which the bladder neck is incised (cut) to enlarge the opening between prostate and bladder (see the figure in prostate section).
Bladder pressure study: see cystogram and urodynamics.
Bladder replacement: intestinal segments are used to construct a reservoir in place of bladder when the bladder is removed because it is rendered useless or dangerous by disease.
Boari Flap: an operation in which lower part of the ureter is reconstructed with a small segment of bladder.
Body Mass Index (BMI): measured to see whether a person is over or under weight. You can calculate this by logging on to NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyweightcalculator.aspx.
Bowen’s disease: a type of penile cancer; It appears as a red area; also called erythroplasia of Queyrat.
Brachytherapy: type of radiotherapy is administered by inserting radioactive wires or seeds in the treatment of solid tumours like prostate cancer.
Bulbo-urethral glands: see Cowper’s glands.
C
Caffeine: a substance present in tea and coffee that stimulates the nervous system and in relation to urology stimulates urinary bladder increasing frequency of urination.
Calyx: Cup shaped part of the pelvis of the kidney from which urine collects into the pelvis
Cancer: malignant tumour: arises as a result of uncontrolled growth of a group of cells which spread to the surrounding structures and to other organs via blood vessels and lymphatics.
Candida (Candida albicans): a type of yeast that inhabits vagina and gut. It can cause infections under certain conditions (candidiasis) particularly after using broad spectrum antibiotics.
Carcinogen: an agent that when exposed to living tissue may cause the production of cancer by affecting the nucleus of the cell.
Carcinogenesis: evolution of cancer from a normal cell.
Carcinoma: any type of malignant growth derived from epithelial cells (lining cells).
Carcinoma in situ: earliest form of cancer where the cancer is confined to the cell or groups of cells.
Cardiopulmonary bypass: a method by which blood circulation in the body is maintained with deliberate stoppage of heart. This technique is sometimes used to operate on kidney cancers that have spread to the main vessels near the heart.
Castration: removal of testicular tissue or testes (both sides). One of the treatments used for prostate cancer.
Catheter: a flexible tube inserted into the urethra to drain the urine from the bladder. See Foley Catheter.
Cathterisation: technique of placement of catheter.
Caverjet: See alprostadil.
Cavernosography: a radiological (X-ray) examination of the erectile tissue of the penis (Corpus cavernosum) by injecting a dye.
Cervix: any neck like structure.
Cervix uteri: neck of the womb.
Chancre: first ulcer to appear in syphilis at the site of infection.
Chancroid: a painful ulcer caused by an organism called haemophilus ducreyi – one of the sexually transmitted diseases.
Chemotherapy: treatment by drugs in cancer.
Chlamydia (Chlymydia trachomatis) : one of the sexually transmitted infections causing inflammation of testis, epididymis and urethra in men.
Chromosome: a single piece of coiled DNA and protein that is found in the nucleus of cells. It contains many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences.
Chronic Urinary Retention: a condition, when patient is able pass urine but retains most of the urine in the bladder. It is generally painless.
Circumcision: surgical operation to remove foreskin on the penis.
Coliform: bacteria that are present in colon. Escherichia coli is one of them.
Colocystoplasty: see bladder augmentation.
Computerised Tomography (CT): It combines a series of X-ray views taken from many different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues inside your body (the resulting images could be compared to a loaf of sliced bread). Each of these slices can be examined individually or for additional visualization to make 3-D images. All this is done by computerisation. A CT scan is particularly well suited to quickly examine people who may have internal injuries from accidents or to check blockages of vessels and hollow organs. It is also used for staging cancerous growths.
Congenital (anomaly or abnormality): congenital disorder or anomaly involves defects in or damage to a developing foetus.
Contraindication: In medicine it usually denotes high risks involved in using a drug or performing a procedure. It may be absolute (for example penicillin allergy when peniciliin is not used) or relative (that the risks may be outweighed by other considerations or mitigated by other measures).
Corpus cavernosum: erectile tissue in the shaft of the penis
Corpus Spongiosum: spongy tissue surrounding the urethra (tube that connects the bladder to the exterior
Corticisteroids: steroid hormones from adrenal gland (cortex) (Adrenal gland has a cortex-outer part and medulla- an inner part)
Cowper’s glands: a tiny pair of glands that open on either side of the urethra at the base of the penis. Their secretions are added to semen.
Creatinine: a break-down product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass). Creatinine is chiefly removed out of the blood by the kidneys by filtration. If the filtering of the kidney is defective, blood creatinine levels start rising.
Cryptorchidism: failure of one or both of the testes to descend. Also known as cryptorchism.
Cryotherapy: using cold temperatures in the treatment of diseases. Cryotherapy is used in Urology for the treatment small kidney cancer and prostate cancer.
Cystectomy: excision of urinary bladder.
Cysteine: type of amino acid in teh body. It can be found sometimes in the kidney stones.
Cystitis: Inflammation of the urinary bladder. It is commonly due to bacterial infection.
Cystogram: Studying the bladder under X-Ray with a dye in the bladder. This investigation can also be combined with urodynamics to study the pressure changes in the bladder along with its visual impression
Cystometrogram: a graphic recording of bladder pressures at various volumes of filling. It makes an assessment of your bladder and sphincter while you store urine and when you pass urine. This test is done for people with urinary incontinence, people who have difficulty with urination, and in people with neurologic diseases that can affect bladder function.
Cystoscopy: examination of inside of the bladder by a ‘telescope’
Cystodiathermy: destroying the bladder tumour using a special probe with electric current. Also called fulguration.
Cystolithiasis: condition of bladder stone(s).
Cystoplasty: an operation to enlarge the capacity of the urinary bladder by using a part of small (ileocystoplasty) or large bowel (caecocystoplasty or colocystoplasty).
Cystostomy: creation of opening into the bladder for draining of urine.
Cytology: examination of the cells.
Cystotomy: also called vesicostomy. Making an opening in the bladder.
Cytotoxic drug: drugs that is capable of killing malignant cells.
Cysto-urethrogram: X-ray image of bladder and urethra using a contrast (‘dye’).
D
Day Case Surgery: surgical procedures that can be performed within a single without admitting the patient.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): genetic material located in the cell nucleus that contains instructions for various functions of that cell.
Depot Injection: administration of a drug which is released and absorbed slowly over a period of time. Testosterone injection, some of the drugs for prostate cancer such as goserilin.
Detrusor: muscle in the urinary bladder.
Detumescence: reverse of erection where the penis looses its stiffness and becomes soft (flaccid) after orgasm or ejaculation.
Diagnosis: a process of identifying a condition by taking into account signs, symptoms and investigations (tests) together.
Dialysis: a way of artificially replacing kidney function in people who have failed kidneys (renal failure).
Diuresis: increased secretion (passing) of urine from kidneys.
Double J-Stent: see stent.
Drain: a device usually a tube used to help to draw the fluid from inside the body.
Drainage: removal or drawing the fluid from an abnormal collection in the body.
Ductus deferens: tube that transports sperm from testis; See also vas deferens.
Dysuria: difficult or painful urination.
E
Ejaculation: the discharge of seminal fluid from the penis accompanied by orgasm. Electrolytes: substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and organs. Common electrolytes that are measured in the blood include sodium, potassium and chloride. Embolisation: the introduction of a material (embolus) to completely stop blood flow to a specific part of an organ or part of the organ. Enuresis: bed wetting.
Epididymis: an elongated and coiled structure on the back of each testis which becomes vas (tube to transport sperm). It consists of head, body and tail.
Epididymo-orchitis: see orchitis
Epithelium: tissue that covers the external surface of the body and hollow structures inside the body (e.g. Bladder) (excluding blood vessels).
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): inability to get or maintain erection (or both) or dissatisfaction with size, rigidity, and or duration of erections.
Extracoproreal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL): See lithotripsy.
External Beam Radiotherapy: see radiotherapy.
F
Feedback: the process in which part of the output of a system is returned to its input in order to regulate its further output. Feedback mechanisms are important in the body to control the release of hormones and enzymes. In negative feedback a substance will stop further release of another substance directly or indirectly. In positive feedback, there is increase in the release or synthesis of the substance.
Fertilisation: the fusion of sperm and egg.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): a technique(method) that uses a needle to extract cells from an abnormal area.
Foley’s Catheter: self retaining catheter using a balloon at one end which remains in the bladder.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): see gonadotrophins
Foreskin: see prepuce.
Frenum or frenulum: a fold of skin attached between foreskin and glans.
Frequency: passing urine frequently.
Fuhrman grade: It is based on nuclear size and shape and the prominence of nucleoli and was devised according to Fuhrman’s criteria.
Fulguration: See cystodiathermy.
G
Gene: basic unit of genetic material.
Genital: related to organs of reproduction.
Germ cells: embryonic cells that are capable of becoming sperm or egg.
Germ Cell Tumours (GCT): a neoplasm derived from germ cells. Germ cell tumours could be cancerous or non-cancerous tumours.
Gland: an organ or group of cells specialised in manufacturing and releasing certain fluids.
Glans: see penis.
Gleason grading: a grading system devised by Dr. Donald F. Gleason (1920-2008) for prostate cancer. It is based on how the biopsy tissue looks under the microscope. Gleason scores range from 2 to 10 and indicate how likely it is that a tumour will spread. A low Gleason score means the cancer tissue is similar to normal prostate tissue and the tumour is less likely to spread; a high Gleason score means the cancer tissue is very different from normal and the tumour is more likely to spread. Many studies have confirmed that it is a very powerful prognostic factor, both for the prediction of the natural history of prostatic carcinoma and for the assessment of the risk of recurrence after surgical removal of prostate gland (total prostatectomy) or radiotherapy treatment.
Gonococcal infection: a sexually transmitted bacterial infection.
Gonadotrophin: hormones released by pituitary gland which act on testis. Follicle stimulating and luteinising hormones
Grading: The cancer cells are graded according to their appearances.
Granuloma inguinale: one of the sexually transmitted infections.
Gynaecomastia: enlargement of breasts in men.
H
Haematuria: presence of blood in the urine. Sometimes blood may not visible and only seen in the microscope (Microscopic haematuria).
Haematospermia: blood in the sperm (semen). Haematocele: a swelling caused by collection of blood around the testis. Haemodialysis: Blood is removed from the body and circulated through special filters outside the body. The blood flows across a filter, along with solutions that help remove toxins. At the end of the process the blood is then returned to the body. Haemorrhage: the escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel. Hernia: protrusion of an organ out of the body in which it normally lies.
Histopathology: see pathology. HIV (Human immune deficiency virus): a virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Hydrocele: collection of watery fluid around the testis in the sac. Hydronephrosis: distension of kidney due to obstruction without infection Hypertension: elevated (High) blood pressure.
I
Ileal Conduit: A segment of small bowel is used to convey the urine from ureters to the bag, an operation usually done after removal of the bladder. The end of the bowel is stitched to the skin with a spout- stoma.
Ileocystoplasty: see cystoplasty.
Immune System: organs responsible for immunity.
Immunity: the body’s ability to resist infection or even tumours by activation of special cells and blood substances.
Incontinence: inappropriate involuntary urinary leakage.
Infertility (male): inability of a man to cause (induce) pregnancy.
Inferior vena cava: see vena cava.
Inhibin: a hormone produced from the testis.
Interferon: a substance that is produced by immune cells that are exposed to viruses. Interferons are used in some forms of bladder cancer treatment. Interleukin: Naturally occurring proteins that mediate communication between cells. Interleukins regulate cell growth, differentiation, and motility. They are particularly important in stimulating immune responses, such as inflammation.
Intravenous Urogram (IVU): A dye (Contrast medium) is injected into the vein and series of X-ray pictures are taken as the dye passes through kidneys, ureters into the bladder.
Investigation(s): Once the patient sees the doctor , it may be necessary to do tests to get more information or confirm the diagnosis. For example, blood tests, X-rays, scans are some examples of investigations.
K
Kallman’s syndrome: It is a hypogonadism (decreased functioning of the testes that produce sex hormones) caused by a deficiency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is created by the lower part of the brain called hypothalamus. Kidney: a pair of bean shaped organs responsible for removing waste products from the blood (nitrogenous substances) and regulate water and electrolyte balance. They are situated on either side of the spine at the back of the abdomen.
Kleinfelter’s syndrome: a genetic disorder in which there are 3 sex chromosomes XXY instead of XX or XY. Affected individuals are males are tall, thin with small testes.
L
Laparoscopy (‘Key hole’ surgery): A telescope with a light and camera is used to send images on a video screen. Special instruments are used for surgical procedure which is done in the abdomen distended by CO2.
Laser (Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation): a device that produces a very thin beam of light with high energy concentration. Laser is used in prostate operation, to control bleeding, to destroy stones and tumours.
Lithotomy: Removal of stone by opening that organ. e.g. Cystolithotomy: taking the stone from the bladder; Ureterolithotomy: from ureter
Lithotripsy: destruction of stones by shock waves. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL): the power source is external and applied from outside the body. The machine is called lithotripter.
Luteinising Hormone (LH): a hormone released by pituitary gland.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS): symptoms of ‘frequency, urgency, night frequency, hesitation to pass urine etc constitute LUTS. LUTS are usually caused by enlarged prostate or due to overactivity of bladder and other problems in the urethra.
Lymph nodes and lymphatic system: Lymph nodes are swellings seen along blood vessels connected to each other by lymph vessels. Each organ has a set of lymph nodes related to that organ. Cancer cells can spread to the lymph nodes when they enlarge.
M
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): It is an investigation based on the principle that body contains hydrogen in water in the tissues which absorbs and transmits high frequency radio waves when placed in a strong magnetic field. Then using a high speed computers this can be analysed and used to map out variation in tissue signals. It is useful in staging and diagnosing various diseases including cancers.
MAG3 (MercaptoAcetyltriGlycine) Renogram: a tracer used in nuclear medicine, to do renography (imaging kidneys) using technetium 99m. As the chemical gets filtered and removed from the kidney it enables to assess kidney function. It also gives differential function which means how much each kidney is contributing.
Malignant (in relation to cancer): a tumour that invades and destroys the tissue of origin and then spreads through blood and lymphatic vessels.
Meatus: an external opening. Urethral meatus- external opening of the urethra.
Metastasis: In simple terms, metastasis means the spread of cancer cells. Cancer cells break away from a malignant tumour. Cells then invade neighbouring organs or enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system (the system that produces, stores, and carries the cells that fight infections).
Microscopic haematuria: see haematuria.
Monoclonal antibody: Monoclonal antibodies are made by injecting human cancer cells, or proteins from cancer cells, into mice so that their immune systems create antibodies against foreign antigens. The murine cells producing the antibodies are then removed and fused with laboratory-grown cells to create hybrid cells called hybridomas. Hybridomas can indefinitely produce large quantities of these pure antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies have several roles in cancer therapy.
Morphology: the study of the form or shape of an organism or organ or part thereof. For example morphology of sperm- shape and forms of sperm.
Motility: the ability to move spontaneously and actively, using energy in the process
N
NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence): set up in 1999 in England and Wales. It has officials from Department of Health and NHS health professionals and patients. It aims to promote high-quality treatment and cost-effectiveness of treatments and services.
Nephrectomy: surgical removal of kidney; Partial nephrectomy: surgical removal of diseased part of the kidney also called nephron-saving surgery; Radical nephrectomy: Removing the kidney along with surrounding fat in cancerous disease of the kidney.
Nephrolithotomy: surgical removal of stone from the kidney. This can be done either by an open technique or by key hole operation (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy- PCNL).
Nephrology: a brach of medicine that deals with study, investigation and management of diseases of the kidney (see urology).
Nephrostomy: drainage of urine from the kidney by a tube passing through the kidney via skin surface. Usually it is a temporary procedure to relieve obstruction of the kidney.
Nephro-ureterectomy: surgical removal of kidney and whole length of the ureter.
Nuclear medicine: a branch of medicine where radioactive trace elements are used to study the structure and function of organs of the human body.
O
Oedema: excessive accumulation (collection) of fluid in the tissues.
Oligozoospermia: the presence of less than normal number of sperm in the seminal fluid. (a count of less than 20million/ml). The low count could lead to male infertility.
Oncology: the study and practice of treating cancer.
Orchidalgia: pain in the testis.
Orchidectomy: surgical removal of testis.
Orchitis: inflammation /infection of the testis. Epididymo-orchitis- Inflammation of epididymis and testis.
Ovary: female sex gland (gonad)
P
Paraphimosis: retraction of tight foreskin and inability to pull it back on the head
Partial Nephrectomy: see nephrectomy.
Pathology: the study of diseases with particular reference to their nature, mechanism and causes. Histopathology is microscopic details of diseased tissues.
Pathologist: specialist in pathology
Penis: male organ that has a tube called urethra that carries semen (Sperm) and urine. It has erectile tissue (Corpus cavernosum and spongiosum) which gets filled with blood when sexually aroused leading to erect penis. In its normal hanging position it is an organ of urination
PCNL (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy): see lithotomy.
Phimosis: tight foreskin of the penis and its inability to retract.
Prepuce: foreskin of the penis.
Prostate: The prostate is a gland which helps make fluid part of the semen, the fluid that contains sperm. The prostate surrounds the tube (Urethra) that carries urine from the bladder and continues as penile urethra to outside. A young man's prostate is about the size of a walnut. It slowly grows larger with age. If it gets too large, it can cause problems. This is common after age 50. Prostate contain glands and smooth muscle and after the age of 50 the cells of glands increase in number (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and muscles in size (benign prostatic hypertrophy).
Prostate Cancer: a malignant tumour of prostate gland.
Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen): an enzyme secreted by prostate gland. Its main purpose is to liquefy semen so that sperm could swim freely. It is normally present in the blood in low levels. However, its levels may increase with enlargement of the prostate gland, infection, inflammation and cancer.
Prosthesis: an artificial device that is attached to the body. Some examples include penile and testicular prostheses.
Pyeloplasty: an operation to relieve the obstruction of kidney (hydronephrosis) at the junction of ureter and kidney (its pelvis).
Pyuria: presence of pus in the urine.
R
Radiology: branch of medicine that involves study of imaging of the human body and other related technologies.
Radiotherapy: the cancer treatment with radiation beam which penetrates the cancerous growth destroying cancer cells. One of the techniques is external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).
Red blood cells: round and flat cells in the blood that carry oxygen.
Renal: related to the kidneys.
Renal Cell Carcinoma: cancer of the kidney.
Retention of urine: inability to pass urine and with accumulation of urine in the bladder.
Retrograde ejaculation: The ejaculate goes backwards because of loss of control mechanism in the bladder neck (at the junction of prostate and bladder).
Retroperitoneal Node Dissection (RPLND): surgical removal of lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum. The nodes drain testis and may have cancer cells in testicular cancer.
Retoperitoneum (Retroperitoneal space): There is membrane like structure that separates structures on the back wall from intestines and stomach. The organs that are present in this space include kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, nerves and blood vessels along with lymph nodes.
S
Schistosmiasis: Also known as bilharziasis (bill-HAR-zi-a), is a disease caused by parasitic worms belonging to Schistosoma family( Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, and S. japonicum). They are found in Africa, south America, China. S. haematobium locates itself in human urinary bladder causing bleeding and cancer.
Semen (seminal fluid): a mixture of fluids from seminal vesicles (65-70%), prostate (30-35%), urethra (2-5%) and sperm from the testes containg nutrients including citric acid, free amino acids, fructose, enzymes, phosphorylcholine, prostaglandin, potassium, and zinc.
Seminal vesicles: a pair of male accessory glands that open into the vas deferens before joining the urethra.
Sign: manifestations of the disease noticed by the doctor.
Sperm: spermatozoon; also used to denote semen.
Spermatic cord: a structure that contains vas, testicular artery and veins. It runs from abdomen to the testicle in the scrotum.
Spermatozoon: a mature male sex cell that moves with its tail and fertilises the egg (ovum) produced by the female.
Stent: a tube placed inside a tube (ureter); double J-stent- so called because of its curled ends.
Stoma: see ileal conduit
Symptom: Disease manifestations noticed/experienced by the patient.
Syndrome: Combination of signs and/or symptoms that form a distinct picture.
T
Tumour: swelling.
U
Ultrasound: Sound waves with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing (above 20kHz). Ultrasound bounces back as ‘echoes’ when it hits various body components and the echoes are converted into an image.
Ureter: Tubes to convey urine from kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra: The tube that connects bladder to the outside.
Urinary Bladder: It is muscular hollow storage organ for urine coming from the kidneys. It expels urine at intervals
Urodynamics: See cystometrogram.
Urology: A branch of surgery that involves study, investigation and surgical management of urinary tract.
V
Varicocele: A prominent collection of enlarged veins around the spermatic cord.
Vas deferens: A tube that connects epididymis to urethra and used for transporting sperm.
Vasectomy: Surgical operation to sever (divide) vas deferens. Mainly used as a method of permanent sterilisation in men
Vein: Blood vessel carrying blood back to the heart.
Vena cava: Main vein of the body taking deoxygenated blood back to the heart. From the upper part of the body (head and neck) the vein is called superior vena cava and from the lower part the body is known as inferior vena cava.
W
Wart: Benign growth of the skin.
X
X-Chromosome: A sex chromosome that is present in both sexes. In females both chromosomes are X i.e. double X
X-Ray: Electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength which pass through various parts of the body depending on density (bones and muscles), hence used in diagnostic radiology
Y
Y-Chromosome: Male sex chromosome.
Yolk sac: A membrane that covers the embryo
Z
Zinc (Zn): It is a trace element which functions as a co-factor for many enzymes. There is relatively higher concentration found in prostate and scientists believe that it may have a role in prostate health.
Zygote: Fertilised egg (ovum) before it starts dividing.