| Abdomen |
The part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and bladder |
| Abscess |
A localised collection of pus |
| Acellular |
Containing no cells |
| Acidosis |
A condition where the acidity of tissues and body fluids is abnormally high |
| Acquired |
Anything not present at birth |
| Acute |
Of sudden onset or short duration |
| Acute Renal Failure |
A condition in which the kidneys suddenly stop working |
| Adenocarcinoma |
A malignant tumour that develops from the glandular elements of an organ |
| Adenoma |
A benign tumour made up of glandular tissue |
| ADH |
Anti-Diuretic Hormone |
| Adhesion |
The joining of two tissue surfaces by scar tissue |
| Adjacent |
Next to |
| Adjuvant therapy |
An additional treatment to try to prevent recurrence |
| Adrenalectomy |
Surgical removal of the adrenal gland |
| Adrenal Gland |
One of a pair of glandular organs situated above the kidneys which secrete hormones that control heart rate and blood pressure. It also produces most of the body’s steroids |
| Aetiology |
The study of the causes of a disease |
| Afferent |
Carrying or going towards |
| AFP |
Alpha Feto Protein is a serum marker for teratoma of the testis. It is used to monitor teratoma |
| Agenesis |
Lack of development of something |
| AID |
Artificial Insemination by Donor |
| AIDS |
Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome |
| AIH |
Artificial Insemination by Husband |
| Albuminuria |
An abnormal amount of albumin (a protein) in the urine |
| Alkaline Phosphatase |
Chemical enzyme produced by liver and bone cells |
| Alkalosis |
A condition where the acidity of tissues and body fluids is abnormally low |
| Amenorrhoea |
Absence or cessation of menstruation |
| Anaemia |
A decrease in the number of red blood cells and therefore haemoglobin in the blood |
| Anaerobic |
Not requiring oxygen |
| Analgesic |
A drug intended to relieve pain |
| Analysis |
A detailed look at something |
| Anastomosis |
Surgical reconnection or joining together of two tubes |
| Anatomy |
The study of form |
| Androgen Ablation |
Blocking the effects of the male hormones |
| Androgens |
The male sex hormones |
| Andrology |
The study of male infertility and sexual dysfunction |
| Anecdotal Evidence |
Evidence based on personal experience that hasn't been scientifically tested |
| Angiogenesis |
Formation of new blood vessels |
| Angiography |
An Xray procedure to view blood vessels in an organ |
| Angiomyolipoma |
A benign kidney tumour |
| Anomaly |
An abnormality |
| Anorgasmia |
A failure to achieve a climax |
| Antegrade |
Forwards |
| Anterior |
In front of anatomically |
| Anti Androgens |
Drugs that block the effects of androgens (male hormones) |
| Antibiotics |
Drugs which fight bacterial infections |
| Antibody |
Specialised protein produced in response to an antigen in order to eliminate the antigen |
| Antigen |
A substance that can produce an antibody |
| Antioxidant |
A substance that prevents a chemical process called oxidation. Oxidation may cause genetic mutations. Antioxidants may prevent cancer forming |
| Antiseptic |
Something that discourages micro-organisms |
| Apical |
Relating to the tip of a structure |
| Apoptosis |
Programmed cell death when DNA is damaged |
| Ascites |
Excess fluid in the abdominal cavity |
| Asepsis |
The absence of micro-organisms |
| Asymptomatic |
Without symptoms |
| ATN |
Acute Tubular Necrosis [of the kidneys] |
| Atrophy |
The complete wasting away or shrinking of part of the body |
| Atypical |
Not usual |
| Autoclave |
Sterilise with pressurised steam |
| Azospermia |
Absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate |
| Bacterium |
Unicellular micro-organism |
| Balanitis |
Inflammation of the glans penis |
| Bartholin’s Gland |
A gland draining into the vulval area |
| BCG |
Bacille Calmette Guerin (used to immunise against and treat tuberculosis) It is an effective immunisation against TB |
| Beeturia |
Harmless reddish discoloration of the urine caused by eating too much beetroot |
| Benign |
This is not malignant. A benign tumour does not invade or metastasise |
| B HCG |
Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin is a serum marker for teratoma of the testis. It is used to monitor teratoma |
| Bicalutamide |
Anti androgen drug (tradename Casodex) |
| Bifid |
Split or divided into two |
| Bilateral |
On both sides of the body |
| Biopsy |
A sample of tissue taken for histological diagnostic purposes |
| Bisphosphonates |
Drugs used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood and to strengthen bones |
| Bladder |
The hollow organ in the lower abdomen for the storage of urine |
| Bladder Augmentation |
An operation that enlarges the bladder using the intestine |
| Bladder Capacity |
The maximum volume of the bladder |
| Bladder Carcinoma |
The malignant growth arising from the lining of the bladder |
| Bladder Extrophy |
A congenital condition where the bladder is located on the anterior abdominal wall |
| Bowman’s Capsule |
Filtration unit of each individual nephron in the kidney |
| BPH |
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy or Hyperplasia |
| Brachytherapy |
A medical word for internal radiotherapy - for example the insertion of radioactive pellets into the prostate or radioactive iodine drink for thyroid cancer |
| BXO |
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans – this is a chronic skin lesion affecting the foreskin, glans penis and the urethra |
| Cachexia |
Wasting of the tissues caused by disease |
| Caecocystoplasty |
Operation in which the bladder is replaced by the caecum |
| Calcification |
Calcium collecting in the tissues |
| Calcium Oxalate |
This compound is the most common constituent of kidney stones |
| Calculus |
A stone |
| Calyx |
The innermost part of the renal pelvis |
| Cancer |
The abnormal growth of cells that have the capability of invading and spreading |
| Candidiasis |
Yeast infection known as thrush caused by candida albicans |
| Carboplatin |
Chemotherapy drug |
| Carcinogen |
A substance that causes cancer |
| Castration |
Removal of the testicles or ovaries |
| Catheterisation |
The insertion of a catheter into the bladder |
| Cautery |
The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells |
| Cell |
The structural unit of tissues |
| Cervix |
Neck of the womb |
| Chancre |
The painless ulcer of syphilis |
| Chemo-resistant |
Cancer that does not respond to chemotherapy |
| Chemo-sensitive |
Cancer that responds to chemotherapy |
| Chemotherapy |
The use of anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to treat cancer |
| Chlamydia |
Sexually transmitted disease |
| Chordee |
The abnormal downward bend of the penis |
| Chronic |
Lasting a long time |
| Circum- |
Prefix meaning surrounding |
| Circumcision |
The surgical removal of the foreskin |
| CIS |
Carcinoma In Situ |
| Cisplatin |
Chemotherapy drug |
| Clam Cystoplasty |
Operation in which a part of the bowel is inserted into the wall of the bladder after bi-valving it |
| Clear margins |
When a cancer is excised the pathologist will report on whether the outer extent of the specimen is free of the cancer |
| Clitoris |
A female sexual organ situated near the anterior junction of the labia minora |
| Coitus |
Sexual intercourse |
| Colpo- |
Prefix referring to the vagina |
| Colporrhaphy |
Plastic operation on the vagina to repair a defect in the wall. Anterior and posterior colporrhaphies can be performed |
| Combination Chemotherapy |
Treatment with more than one chemotherapy drug at a time |
| Co-morbidity |
Two or more conditions occurring simultaneously |
| Conception |
The onset of pregnancy when the sperm unites with the ovum |
| Conformal Radiotherapy |
A type of xray treatment that uses a computer to target the tumour |
| Congenital |
Present at birth |
| Contraception |
Measure to prevent pregnancy |
| Contralateral |
On the other side |
| Corpora cavernosa |
The two cylinders of erectile tissue situated in the penis |
| Cortex |
The outer portion of an organ |
| Cowper’s gland |
Bulbo urethral gland named after William Cowper (1666-1709) |
| Creatinine |
Waste product of muscle metabolism found in the urine |
| Cross section |
Anatomical transverse cut through a tissue |
| Cryotherapy |
A surgical procedure destroying tissue by freezing |
| CT Scan |
Computerised Tomography Scan |
| Curie |
Unit of radioactivity |
| Cyclophosphamide |
Chemotherapy drug |
| Cyproterone |
Anti androgen pill (Tradename Cyprostat) |
| Cyst |
Fluid filled sac |
| Cystectomy |
The surgical removal of the bladder |
| Cystitis |
Inflammation of the bladder |
| Cystocele |
A prolapse involving the bladder |
| Cystogram |
An Xray of the bladder following the injection of contrast material |
| Cystoplasty |
Plastic operation on the bladder |
| Cystoscope |
The optical instrument used to examine the inside of the bladder. Flexible and rigid are two types |
| Cystoscopy |
The endoscopic examination of the bladder |
| Cyto- |
Referring to cells |
| Cytology |
The branch of science that deals with the structure and function of cells |
| Cytoplasm |
All the substance of a cell except the nucleus |
| D and C |
Dilatation and curettage [of the uterus] |
| Dehiscence |
Splitting open of a surgical wound |
| DES |
Diethylstilboestrol |
| Detrusor Muscle |
The muscle of the bladder |
| Dextro- |
On the right side |
| DHT |
DiHydroTestosterone |
| Di- |
Prefix meaning double |
| Diagnosis |
A disease identified by symptoms signs and special investigations |
| Dialysis |
A process of cleansing the blood |
| Diathermy |
The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells |
| Differentiation |
A process by which cells mature in order to perform what they are meant to. Cancer cells are less differentiated |
| Dilatation |
A procedure to widen |
| Dissection |
The process of separating tissues |
| Distal |
Anatomically farthest from the centre |
| Diuresis |
Increased formation of urine |
| Diurnal |
In the daytime |
| Diverticulum |
An abnormal outpouching arising from a hollow organ |
| DMSO |
Di Methyl SulfOxide is a drug used to treat interstitial cystitis |
| DNA |
Deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DOB |
Date of birth |
| Dorsum |
The posterior side of a structure |
| DRE |
Digital Rectal Examination |
| Duct |
Tube or channel |
| DVT |
Deep vein thrombosis |
| Dys- |
Refers to lack of function |
| Dyspareunia |
Painful sexual intercourse |
| Dysplasia |
The earliest form of a pre-cancerous lesion. It is an abnormality in the maturation of cells within a tissue |
| Dysuria |
Painful voiding of urine |
| EBRT |
External Beam RadioTherapy |
| Ecchymosis |
A large bruise |
| ECG |
Electrocardiogram |
| E coli |
Bacterium called Escherichia coli |
| Ectomy |
Surgical suffix meaning excision of a structure |
| Ectopic |
Used to describe something in an abnormal position |
| Ectopic kidney |
A kidney that has formed in an abnormal position |
| ED |
Erectile dysfunction |
| Efferent |
Carrying away |
| Efficacy |
Effectiveness |
| Ejaculation |
The issue of semen at orgasm |
| Ejaculatory Duct |
The tube which sperms reach the urethra |
| Ejaculatory Fluid |
Semen |
| Electro cautery |
Stopping bleeding or destroying tissue using a needle heated by an electric current |
| Embolisation |
A procedure in which a blood vessel is blocked |
| Embryonal |
Of the embryo |
| Endocrine |
Relates to glands that secrete hormones |
| Endometriosis |
Condition where womb lining tissue is found outside the womb |
| Endometrium |
The lining of the womb (uterus) |
| Endoscopy |
Examination of the inside of a hollow organ |
| End stage |
The last phase of a disease process |
| Enterocele |
A vaginal prolapse involving bowel |
| Enuresis |
Involuntary voiding of urine at night during sleep |
| Enzyme |
A protein that increases the rate of chemical reactions in living cells |
| Epididymitis |
Inflammation of the epididymus |
| Epididymo orchitis |
Inflammation of the testis and epididymis |
| Epididymis |
A coiled tube at the back of the testis conveying sperm from the testis to the vas deferens |
| Epidural anaesthesia |
Anaesthetic agent is administered into the spinal fluid to freeze the lower part of the body |
|
| Epirubicin |
Chemotherapy agent used intravenously and into the bladder |
| Epispadias |
A condition where the urethra opens onto the topside of the penis |
| Epithelium |
The surface layer of cells |
| Erythema |
Redness of the skin |
| ESWL |
Extracorporeal ShockWave Lithotripsy |
| Excision |
Surgical removal of |
| Excretion |
The elimination of solid waste from the body |
| Extracapsular |
Outside of a capsule |
| Extracellular |
Outside a cell |
| Extracorporeal |
Outside the body |
| Extravasation |
The leakage of fluids into the surrounding tissues |
| Extravesical |
Outside the bladder |
| Extrinsic |
Not an essential part |
| Fallopian Tube |
The tube on each side of the uterus which transports the egg from the ovary to the uterus |
| False negative |
A negative result when in reality it is positive in nature |
| False positive |
A positive result when in reality it is negative in nature |
| Familial |
Runs in families |
| Fascinoma |
Medical slang for an interesting case |
| Fertility |
The ability to have children |
| Fibroid |
A benign tumour of the uterus |
| Fibrosis |
Scarring in the tissues |
| Fissure |
A groove |
| Fistula |
An abnormal opening between two epithelial surfaces |
| Five year survival |
The percentage of people with a cancer expected to live for 5 years or more after diagnosis |
| Flutamide |
Anti androgen pill (tradename drogenil) |
| Foley Catheter |
A hollow tube with a balloon at one end used to drain the bladder |
| Foramen |
A natural opening |
| Foreskin |
The skin that covers the glans penis |
| Fornix |
A vaulted structure |
| Fournier’s gangrene |
A serious infection affecting the skin of the genitalia leading to gangrene |
| Frenulum |
A restraining structure found in the foreskin and tongue |
| FSH |
Follicle Stimulating Hormone |
| GA |
General Anaesthetic |
| Gamete |
The sperm or the ovum |
| Gangrene |
The death of a tissue due to loss of blood supply |
| Generic |
The chemical name of a drug |
| Germ cell |
The sperm or the ovum |
| Gerota’s Fascia |
The capsule of the kidney |
| GFR |
Glomerular Filtration Rate |
| GIFT |
Gamete intrafallopian transfer – an infertility treatment |
| Gland |
Organ in the body which makes and secretes a substance |
| Glans penis |
The head of the penis |
| Gleason score |
A histological grading system for prostate cancer |
| Glomerulonephritis |
An inflammatory condition of the kidney |
| Glomerulus |
A mass of blood vessels in a kidney nephron where the blood is filtered |
| Gonad |
The ovary or the testis |
| Gonorrhoea |
A sexually transmitted disease caused by the Gonococcus bacterium |
| Goodpastures Syndrome |
Rare immunological disease affecting the kidneys and lungs |
| Goselerin |
Drug which acts on the pituitary gland in the brain to stop the production of sex hormones. It is used to treat prostate cancer (tradename Zoladex) |
| Gray |
International unit of radiation. 1 Gray = 100 rads |
| GSI |
Genuine Stress Incontinence |
| Gynaecologist |
A surgeon specialising in treating female health |
| Gynaecomastia |
A tender enlargement of the male breast |
| Haematoma |
A collection of blood in the tissues |
| Haematospermia |
The presence of blood in the seminal fluid |
| Haematuria |
The presence of blood in the urine |
| Haemoglobin |
Pigment found in red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body |
| Haemoglobinuria |
The presence of haemoglobin in the urine |
| Haemorrhage |
Bleeding |
| Haemostasis |
Surgical term for controlling bleeding |
| Hamartoma |
A malformation |
| Hb |
Haemoglobin |
| Henoch-Schönlein Purpura |
Systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) affecting mainly the kidneys and skin |
| Hernia |
The protrusion of a viscus or part of a viscus through an abnormal opening |
| Hesitancy |
Delay in starting Micturition |
| Hetero- |
Prefix meaning different |
| HIFU |
High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound |
| Hilum |
Hollow on the surface of an organ where the blood vessels enter |
| Histology |
The study of cells and tissues under the microscope |
| HIV |
Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| Hom- |
Prefix meaning the same |
| Homogeneous |
Cells or tissue that looks the same throughout |
| Hormone |
A chemical substance released by endocrine glands that control various body functions |
| Hormone Dependent |
A cancer that is stimulated to grow by the presence of a hormone |
| Hormone Resistant |
The effects of hormones on a cancer have disappeared |
| Horseshoe kidney |
A rare condition where the lower poles of the two kidneys are fused together to form a “U” shape |
| Hot spot |
An area on a bone scan showing increased blood supply to the bone secondary to arthritis or tumour deposit |
| HPV |
Human Papilloma Virus |
| HRT |
Hormone Replacement Therapy |
| Hydrocele |
A collection of fluid around the testicle |
| Hydronephrosis |
A build up of urine in the kidney usually due to obstruction |
| Hymen |
A membrane partly occluding the vaginal opening |
| Hyper- |
Prefix meaning Excessive |
| Hypercalcaemia |
Excess of calcium in the blood |
| Hypercalciuria |
Excess of calcium in the urine |
| Hyperplasia |
Too much growth of cells or tissue |
| Hyperreflexia |
Exaggeration of reflexes |
| Hypertrophy |
Increase of the size of an organ or tissue due to an increase in the size of the cells and not the number of cells |
| Hypo- |
Prefix meaning below normal |
| Hypoplasia |
Underdevelopment of an organ or tissue |
| Hypospadias |
Congenital abnormality where the urethra opens on to the under surface of the penis |
| Hysterectomy |
Surgical excision of the uterus (womb) |
| Hysteroscopy |
Endoscopic procedure of the uterus |
| Idiopathic |
Of unknown causation |
| IgA Nephropathy |
Form of glomerulonephritis |
| Ileal Conduit |
The use of small bowel to convey urine from the ureters to outside the body as a stoma (bag) |
| Immunotherapy |
A treatment that boosts the body’s own immune system to treat cancer |
| Impotence |
The inability to achieve or maintain an erection |
| Incidence |
The number of newly diagnosed cases in a specific time |
| Incontinence |
The inability to control urine |
| Infection |
Illness caused by micro-organisms |
| Infundibulum |
Part of the collecting system in the kidney connecting the calyx to the renal pelvis |
| In situ |
In the normal position |
| Interferon |
A naturally produced substance released in response to a viral infection. It is used in immunotherapy to boost the immune system |
| Interleukin-2 |
Type of immunotherapy |
| Interstitial Cystitis |
Condition of the bladder characterised by transmural inflammation |
| Intracellular |
Within a cell |
| Intravesical |
Inside the bladder |
| Introitus |
Vaginal orifice |
| In vitro |
In the laboratory |
| In vivo |
In a living organism |
| IPSS |
International Prostate Symptom Score |
| Ischaemia |
Lack of blood flow |
| Iso- |
Prefix meaning equal |
|
| Isotope Bone Scan |
Nuclear imaging of the skeleton using a gamma camera |
| IUD |
Intra Uterine Device |
| IVU |
IntraVenous Urogram is an Xray using contrast material to examine the urinary tract (kidneys ureters and bladder |
| LA |
Local Anaesthetic |
| Labia majora |
Outer lips of the vulva |
| Labia minora |
Inner lips of the vulva |
| Laevo- |
On the left side |
| Lamina propria |
A layer of the bladder between the epithelial lining and the bladder muscle |
| Laparoscope |
A telescope that is inserted into the abdomen |
| Laparotomy |
Operation to look into the abdomen |
| Laser |
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation |
| Leucocyte |
A white blood cell |
| LH |
Leuteinizing hormone |
| LHRH |
Leuteinizing hormone releasing hormone |
| Libido |
Sex Drive |
| Lifetime risk |
The probability of developing or dying from a cancer in the course of one’s lifespan |
| Litholapaxy |
The endoscopic disintegration and removal of a bladder stone |
| Lithotomy |
Surgical removal of a stone |
| Lithotripsy |
The disintegration of a stone |
| Longitudinal |
Along the length |
| Lumen |
The channel within a tube |
| Lymph |
Body fluid which circulates in the lymphatic system |
| Lymphadenectomy |
Surgical excision of one or more lymph nodes |
| Lymph Nodes |
Network of glands in the lymphatic system |
| Lymphocyte |
A white blood cell |
| Lytic |
Excessive destruction |
| Macro- |
Prefix meaning large |
| Malignancy |
A cancer that can destroy local tissues and can spread to other parts of the body |
| Meatus |
An opening |
| Medial |
Towards the middle or centre |
| Median |
The midline |
| Medulla |
The inner portion of an organ |
| Mega- |
Prefix meaning abnormally large |
| Menarche |
The start of menstruation |
| Menopause |
The cessation of menstruation |
| Metaplasia |
The cellular change in a tissue which is not normal for that tissue |
| Metastasis |
The secondary tumour in a distant part of the body from the primary tumour |
| Medullary Sponge Kidney |
Congenital disorder of the kidneys with cystic dilatation of the collecting tubules |
| Menorrhagia |
Excessive menstrual bleeding |
| Methotrexate |
Chemotherapy drug |
| Micro- |
Prefix meaning very small |
| Micturition |
The act of passing urine |
| Micturition Syncope |
Fainting whilst urinating |
| Mitomycin C |
Chemotherapy drug |
| Morphology |
Study of the shape and structure of things |
| Mortality |
The number of deaths during a specific time |
| MRI |
Magnetic Resonant Imaging scans which utilise magnets and radio waves |
| MRSA |
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus |
| Necrosis |
The death of living tissue |
| Neo- |
Prefix meaning new |
| Neobladder |
A new bladder constructed out of a piece of bowel |
| Neoplasm |
A new growth of cells usually malignant |
| Nephrectomy |
Surgical removal of the kidney |
| Nephritis |
Inflammation of the kidney |
| Nephron |
A filtration unit within the kidney |
| Nephrolithiasis |
Kidney stones |
| Nephrolithotomy |
The surgical removal of a stone from the kidney |
| Nephrostomy |
An artificial opening between the skin and the kidney |
| Nephro-ureterectomy |
Surgical excision of the kidney and ureter |
| Neutrophil |
A white blood cell that kills bacteria |
| NMR |
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging |
| Nocturia |
A condition whereby a patient rises from sleep to urinate |
| Oestrogen |
Female hormone produced by the ovary |
| Oligo- |
Prefix meaning only a few |
| Oliguria |
Decreased production of urine |
| Oncogene |
Cancer gene |
| Oncologist |
Specialist who treats cancer |
| Oncology |
The study of cancer |
| Oophorectomy |
Surgical removal of the ovaries |
| Orchiectomy |
The surgical removal of the testicle |
| Orchiopexy |
Surgical operation to correct an undescended testicle |
| Orchitis |
Inflammation of the testis |
| Orgasm |
Sexual climax |
| Orifice |
Opening |
| Osteogenic |
Bone forming as in prostatic cancer bone metastases |
| Osteolytic |
Bone destroying as in bone metastases |
| Ovary |
The female organ of reproduction |
| Ovulation |
Egg production in the ovary |
| Ovum |
The egg of the female |
| Palliation |
Control of symptoms rather than curing disease |
| Palpable |
Something that can be felt |
| Paraphimosis |
A condition where a retracted foreskin will not go back to its normal state |
| Parenchyma |
The functional part of an organ |
| Parenteral |
Drug administration by injection |
| Patent |
Open and unobstructed |
| Pathogen |
Something that produces disease |
| Pathogenic |
Causing disease |
| PCN |
Per Cutaneous Nephrolithotomy |
| Penis |
The external male sex organ |
| Peyronies Disease |
Connective disorder affecting the penis |
| Pelvic Exenteration |
Surgical excision of all the internal organs within the pelvis |
| Percutaneous |
Through the skin |
| Peri- |
Prefix meaning around |
| Perineum |
The region between the thighs |
| Peritoneum |
Lining of the abdominal cavity covering the organs contained within it |
| Peritonitis |
Inflammation of the peritoneal cavity |
| PET Scan |
Positron Emission Tomography scan |
| Phimosis |
A tight foreskin |
| PIN |
Prostate Intraepithelial Neoplasia |
| Pituitary Gland |
Gland under the brain which produces many different hormones |
| Placebo |
Dummy treatment |
| Plasma |
Liquid portion of blood |
| PolitanoLeadbetter Operation |
Surgical operation to re implant the ureter into the bladder |
| Polydipsia |
Increased thirst |
| Polyuria |
Increased production of urine |
| Posterior |
Behind anatomically |
| Prepuce |
The foreskin |
| Prevalence |
The number of cases alive at any given time |
| Priapism |
Persistent abnormal erection of the penis |
| Progestogen |
Female hormone produced by the ovary |
| Prognosis |
The prediction of the course of a disease |
| Prolactin |
Peptide hormone produced by the pituitary associated with lactation |
| Prophylaxis |
The prevention of disease |
| Prostatalgia |
Pain associated with the prostate |
| Prostate |
A gland situated beneath the bladder which secretes fructose sugar to feed sperms |
| Prostate Carcinoma |
The malignant growth arising from the glands of the prostate |
| Prostatectomy |
Surgical removal of the prostate |
| Prostatodynia |
Prostatic inflammation not due to bacterial infection |
| Prosthesis |
An artificial implant to replace a part of the body |
| Prostatitis |
Inflammation of the prostate |
| Proximal |
Anatomically nearest to the centre |
| PSA |
Prostate Specific Antigen is a marker for prostate cancer |
| Pubic symphysis |
The joint between the pubic bones |
| PUJ |
Pelvi Ureteric Junction |
| PUJO |
Pelvi Ureteric Junction Obstruction |
| Purulent |
Containing pus |
| Pyelo- |
Relating to the renal pelvis |
| Pyelonephritis |
Inflammation of the kidney and collecting system |
| Pyonephrosis |
Pus in the renal pelvis |
| Pyrexia |
Fever |
| Pyuria |
The presence of pus or pus cells in the urine |
| Rad |
The basic unit of radiation (Radiation Absorbed Dose) |
| Radical Prostatectomy |
Open surgical removal of the entire prostate and the seminal vesicles |
| Radiologist |
Specialist in reading Xrays |
| Radiolucent |
Anything that xrays penetrate |
| Radio-opaque |
Anything that prevents xrays penetrating |
| Radiotherapy |
The treatment of cancers by ionising radiation |
| Rectocele |
Prolapse of the posterior vaginal wall |
| Refractory |
Refers to a disease that is no longer controlled by current treatment |
| Relapse |
The reappearance of a disease after its apparent cessation |
| Rem |
The basic unit of radiation exposure (Roentgen Equivalent Man) |
| Remission |
Complete or partial disappearance of cancer in response to treatment |
| Renal Agenesis |
Congenital absence of a kidney |
| Renal Artery Stenosis |
Narrowing of the main artery to the kidney |
| Renal Hamartoma |
Malformation in the kidney. This is not a cancer |
| Renal Papilla |
Medullary pyramid of the kidney where the urine drainsinto the renal pelvis |
| Renal Pelvis |
The collecting system for urine in the kidney |
| Renal vein Thrombosis |
Clot in the major kidney vein |
| Resection |
Surgical removal |
| Residual Volume |
The volume of urine remaining in the bladder after voiding |
| Retrograde |
Backwards |
| Retroperitoneal |
Behind the peritoneal cavity |
| Salpingitis |
Inflammation of the Fallopian tubes |
| Salpingo-oophorectomy |
Surgical excision of the Fallopian tube and ovary |
| Sarcoma |
A malignant tumour of soft tissue or bone |
| SCC |
Squamous Cell Carcinoma |
| Schistosomiasis |
Parasitic infection affecting the liver spleen bowel and bladder caused by trematode worms (fluke) |
| Semen |
Ejaculation fluid containing sperm |
| Seminal Vesicles |
The storage organs for sperms situated behind the prostate |
| Seminoma |
Malignant tumour of the testis |
| Septicaemia |
Blood poisoning |
| Shy-Drager Syndrome |
A disorder of the sympathetic nervous system leading to urinary incontinence |
| Sievert |
International unit of radiation exposure. 1 Sievert = 100 Rem |
| Smegma |
Odorous white secretions found under the foreskin |
| Spermatic Cord |
The structure that connects the testis to the body |
| Spermatogenesis |
Sperm production |
| Spermatozoa |
Male sex cell or gamete |
| Sperm Granuloma |
Lump of extravasated sperm in the scrotum |
| Spina Bifida Occulta |
A bony defect of the vertebral column |
| Spirochete |
Treponema Pallidum – the cause of syphilis |
| Stat |
Immediately |
| STD |
Sexually Transmitted Disease |
| Stenosis |
The narrowing or stricture of a duct or tube |
| Stent |
Pipe or tube inserted into a tube or vessel to keep it open |
| Sterile pyuria |
The presence of white leucocytes in the urine |
| Sterility |
Inability to have children |
| Steroid |
Compounds produced by the testis ovary and adrenal gland. Oestrogen Progestogen Testosterone and Cholesterol are examples |
| Stricture |
Abnormal narrowing of a tube |
| Sub- |
Prefix meaning under |
| Sulcus |
A furrow or groove |
| Superficial |
On the surface |
| Superior |
Above anatomically |
| Supra- |
Prefix meaning above |
| Suprapubic |
Part of the abdomen above the pubic bones |
| Survival |
The proportion of patients alive after diagnosis |
| Systemic |
Affecting the whole body |
| TAH |
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy |
| TCC |
Transitional Cell Carcinoma |
| Teratoma |
Malignant tumour of the testis |
| Testis |
The male organ of reproduction |
| Testosterone |
The male hormone |
| Tissue |
A collection of cells united to form a particular function |
| TNM |
A method of staging cancers assessing Tumour Nodes and Metastases |
| Toxicity |
Side effects |
| Trans- |
Prefix meaning across |
| Transitional |
This describes the type of lining found in the bladder |
| Transverse |
The horizontal plane |
| Trauma |
Injury |
| Treponema Pallidum |
A spirochete causing syphilis |
| Trigone |
The floor of the bladder situated between the ureteric orifices and the internal urethral meatus |
| TRUS |
Trans Rectal UltraSound |
| Tuberculosis |
Chronic bacterial infection affecting the lungs and many other organs |
| Tubules |
Very small tubular parts |
| TULIP |
TransUrethral Laser Induced Prostatectomy |
| TUNA |
TransUrethral Needle Ablation |
| TUR |
TransUrethral Resection |
| TURBT |
TransUrethral Resection of a Bladder Tumour |
| TURP |
TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate |
| TUVP |
TransUrethral Vaporisation of the Prostate |
| TVT |
Tension-free Vaginal Tape |
| TWOC |
Trial With Out Catheter |
| Ultrasound Scan |
A scan using high frequency sound waves. The echoes bouncing off tissue interfaces are converted to a picture |
| Unilateral |
Affecting only one side of the body |
| Urachus |
The foetal connection from the bladder to the umbilicus |
| Urea |
Waste product excreted by the kidney |
| Ureter |
The tube transporting urine from the kidney to the bladder |
| Ureteric |
Pertaining to the ureter |
| Ureteroscopy |
Endoscopic examination of the ureter |
| Urethra |
Urine is expelled from the body through this tube |
| Urethral Caruncle |
A vascular abnormality at the external urethral meatus in a female |
| Urethral Stricture |
Narrowing of the urethra |
| Urethral Valves |
Congenital flap of tissue in the urethra causing obstruction |
| Urethrectomy |
Surgical excision of the urethra |
| Urethrotomy |
Cut in the urethra usually to treat strictures |
| Urge Incontinence |
Urinary incontinence associated with urgency |
| Urgency |
An immediate pressing desire to pass urine |
| Urine |
Liquid waste excreted by the kidneys |
| Urinalysis |
A test to identify the contents of urine |
| Urine Cytology |
The investigation that looks for cancer cells in the urine |
| Urodynamic Assessment |
Pressure test on the bladder |
| Urolithiasis |
The formation of urinary stones |
| Urothelium |
The lining of the urinary tract organs also known as transitional cell epithelium |
| Uterus |
The hollow female organ of pregnancy |
| UTI |
Urinary Tract Infection |
| Vagina |
The passage connecting the vulva to the uterus |
| Vaginal Hysterectomy |
Surgical removal of the uterus via the vagina |
| Vaginismus |
Condition of muscle tensing which makes vaginal penetration either painful or impossible |
| Varicocele |
A collection of varicose veins arising from the scrotum in the pampiniform plexus of veins |
| Vasa Efferentia |
Tubes that convey the sperm from the testis to the epididymis |
| Vas Deferens |
Tubes that convey the sperm from the epididymis to the prostate |
| Vasectomy |
Surgical procedure to cut the vas deferens to render sterility |
| Vaso-vasostomy |
Reversal of vasectomy to re establish sterility |
| Verumontanum |
The vestigial remnant of the female cervix situated in the prostate |
| Vesical |
Of the bladder |
| Visceral |
Of the internal organs |
| Viscus |
An Internal Organ |
| Von Hippel Lindau |
A syndrome that is pre malignant for kidney cancer |
| Vulva |
Exterior female genitalia |
