Glossary of Medical Terms – U

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U/A

Urinalysis, used to test for kidney failure, dehydration, diabetes, undernourishment, or bladder or kidney infection

UBW

Usual Body Weight

UDCA

Ursodeoxycholic Acid, Actigall

UDP

Hepatic Uridine Diphosphoglucuronate

UES

Upper Esophageal Sphincter

UGI

Upper Gastrointestinal

UIQ

Upper Inner Quadrant

Ulcer

Open sore on the skin surface or on a mucous surface such as the lining of the stomach

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine lining

Ulcerogenic

Ulcer causing

ULN

Upper Limit of Normal

ULQ

Upper Left Quadrant

Ultrasound

Also known as Ultrasonic imaging, ultrasonography, echoscanning. Diagnostic test in which sound pulses are sent into the body. The returning echoes are collected and a picture is produced from them. Uses the same technology as sonar

Uncoating

The stage of viral replication at which structural proteins are lost and the virus genome is exposed to the replication machinery

Unconjugated

Free

Unguent

Fatty medicinal preparation for external use that liquefies when rubbed into the skin

Unicorn Root, False

Chamaelirium Luteum. Considered an diuretic, emetic, tonic, and Vermifuge. Useful in impotence, as a tonic in genito urinary weakness or irritability, liver and kidney diseases, especially in diseases due to poor action of the liver. In large doses, False Unicorn Root is a cardiac poison

Unicorn Root, True

Aletris Farinosa. The fresh root of True Unicorn in large doses is somewhat emetic, cathartic and narcotic; when dried, these properties are lost.When dried, it becomes a bitter tonic and its tincture or decoction has been used in colic, flatulence, hysteria, and in dyspepsia where there is an absence of urinary phosphates. It has a tonic influence on the female generative organs, being of use in cases of habitual miscarriage

Unilateral

One sided, affecting one side

Unitdose

Single dose

Universal Precautions

Term used to describe various practical measures which can minimize the risk of infection from blood and body fluids

Unsaturated Fat

Type of fat that is usually liquid at refrigerator temperature. Monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat are two kinds of unsaturated fat

UOQ

Upper Outer Quadrant

Upper GI Series

Barium Meal. Diagnostic procedure in which x-rays are taken after the patient swallows a liquid containing barium. The barium liquid helps to outline the esophagus, duodenum, and stomach so that they show up clearly on x-ray

UQ

Upper Quadrant

Urea

Main end product of mammalian protein metabolism, formed in the liver from amino acids and compounds of ammonia; the main nitrogenous compound of urine; an average person, excretes about 30 grams of urea per day

Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Serum urea nitrogen (BUN) is increased in acute and chronic intrinsic renal disease, in states characterized by decreased effective circulating blood volume with decreased renal perfusion, in postrenal obstruction of urine flow, and in high protein intake states. Decreased serum urea nitrogen (BUN) is seen in high carbohydrate/low protein diets, states characterized by increased anabolic demand (late pregnancy, infancy, acromegaly), malabsorption states, and severe liver damage

Uremia

Kidney failure

URI

Upper Respiratory Infection

-uria

(suffix)-Urine

Uricase

An enzyme that promotes oxidation of uric acid to allantoin, carbon dioxide, and other products and that is found esp. in the liver, kidney, and brains of most animals other than primates

Uric Acid

Increase in serum uric acid is seen idiopathically and in renal failure, disseminated neoplasms, toxemia of pregnancy, psoriasis, liver disease, sarcoidosis, ethanol consumption, etc. Many drugs elevate uric acid, including most diuretics, catacholamines, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, salicylates, and large doses of nicotinic acid. Decreased serum uric acid level may not be of clinical significance. It has been reported in Wilson’s disease, Fanconi’s syndrome, xanthinuria, and (paradoxically) in some neoplasms, including Hodgkin’s disease, myeloma, and bronchogenic carcinoma. Uric acid is formed in the breakdown of nucleoproteins in the tissues, and excreted in the urine. It is found in the bloodstream within a normal range (2 – 8 milligrams per deciliter). Elevated blood uric acid levels can put patients at an increased risk for kidney stone formation

Uric Acid Levels

Uric acid is formed in the breakdown of nucleoproteins in the tissues, and excreted in the urine. It is found in the bloodstream within a normal range (2 – 8 milligrams per deciliter). Elevated blood uric acid levels can put patients at an increased risk for kidney stone formation

Urinary Tract Infection

UTI–Infection of one or more parts of the urinary tract

URO-D

Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase, a hepatic enzyme

URQ

Upper Right Quadrant

Ursodeoxycholic Acid

Drug, similar to Chenodeoxycholic Acid, that is being tested for safety and effectiveness in dissolving gallstones

Ursodiol

Actigall. A water-soluble bile acid found in high concentrations in the bile of bears. When administered to humans, it tends to replace less water-soluble bile acids in the bile. Ursodiol has been shown to reduce liver inflammation associated with a variety of chronic liver diseases, although whether is prevents progression to cirrhosis and liver failure is still under investigation. Also known as ursodeoxycholic acid and Actigall

USPHS

United States Public Health Service

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection

Uva Ursi

Also known as Bearberry, Bear’s Grape, Kinnickinick, Mealberry, Mountain Cranberry and Whortleberry. Contains a plant glycoside, Arbutin, which breaks down in the body to form hydroquinone, a chemical compound that serves as an effective urinary antiseptic and astringent. Uva Ursi contains other compounds, including Ursolic acid, which is known to be an effective diuretic. Nausea and vomiting may occur in sensitive adults and children. Should not be taken with drugs that lead to the formation of acid urine

© Vikki Shaw