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Areflexia
Absence of reflexes |
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Atonic
Lacking normal tone or strength |
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Bladder Neck
The constricted portion of the bladder where it narrows to join the urethra |
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Candidiasis
Characteristic patch of erythema containing macules or papules with satellite lesions. Frequently associated with itching. |
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Cystometry
Method by which the pressure-volume relationship of the bladder is measured |
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Cystoscopy
A lighted scope is introduced into the bladder by way of the urethral meatus under anesthesia (local or general); provides visualization of the urethra and bladder for diagnostic or treatment purposes |
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Detrusor
Smooth muscle structure which composes the bladder |
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Diarrhea
Frequent passage of liquid/watery bowel movement in amounts greater than 150 ml stool per day, primarily the result of increased peristalsis |
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Dyssynergia
Disturbance of muscular coordination (e.g., detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia = failure of coordinated action of the detrusor muscle and sphincter) |
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Dysuria
Painful urination |
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Electromyography
Utilizes electrodes to measure and record striated muscle activity in the lower urinary tract(pelvic floor and sphincter) |
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Enuresis
Most often used to mean micturition occurring during sleep ("bedwetting") |
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Erosion/Denuding
Removal of the top layer of the skin |
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Erythema
Redness of the skin surface produced by vasodilatation |
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External Sphincter
Striated muscle which is innervated through the pudendal nerve. Under voluntary control. |
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Fecal Incontinence
Inability to control the passage of gas, liquid, and/or solids |
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Flow Rate
The volume of fluid expelled via the urethra per unit of time |
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GU
Genitourinary |
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Hematuria
Blood in the urine; may be gross or microscopic |
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Hydronephrosis
Enlargement of one or both of the kidneys caused by quantities of urine which cannot escape |
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Hyperreflexia
Over activity of reflexes due to disturbance of the nervous control mechanism |
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Internal Sphincter
A smooth muscle which is a continuation of the circular smooth muscle of the rectum. It begins at the most proximal portion of the anal canal and extends distally approximately 3 cm. Not under voluntary control. |
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Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
Serial x-rays taken after IV injection of radiopaque dye. Excretion of dye through kidneys allows visualization of the kidneys for size, location and shape and to evaluate the filling of the kidney pelvis and ureters |
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Intravesical Pressure
Pressure within the bladder |
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Lower Urinary Tract
Composed of the bladder and urethra |
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Maceration
Softening of the skin by soaking in fluids. Skin appears white and waterlogged. |
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Micturition
The passage of urine; urination; voiding |
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Mucosa
Innermost lining of the GI tract and bladder; mucous membrane |
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Nocturia
Being woken from sleep each night by the need to urinate |
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Obstruction
Blockage |
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Perineal Bridge or Body
Space between the vaginal orifice and anus in females; space between base of scrotum and anus in males. |
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Perineum
Pertaining to the region between the anus and the external genitalia |
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Pessary
A device inserted into the vagina to function as a supportive structure for the uterus |
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Prostate
A gland, which in the male, surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra |
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Prostatectomy
Surgical removal of the prostate or a part of it |
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Pudendal Nerve
Nerve which innovates the external genitalia, especially of the female |
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Reflux
Backward flow |
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Residual Urine
Volume of fluid remaining in the bladder immediately following the completion of micturition; urine which remains in the bladder stagnates and may result in urinary tract infections |
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Retraction
Drawing back |
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Skin Sealant
Provides a clear copolymer protective layer to the skin that assists in removal of adhesives from the skin. |
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Stable
Term used to describe normal detrusor function |
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Stenosis
Narrowing; decrease in the diameter |
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Stricture
Narrowing; decrease in the diameter |
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Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TUR, TURP)
Surgical procedure performed on men where all or part of an enlarged prostate is removed through the urethra |
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Trigone
Triangular landmark at base of bladder; it is between the two openings of the ureters and the urethra |
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Ureter
The tube leading from the kidney to the bladder |
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Urethral Incompetence
An incompetent urethral closure mechanism allows for leakage of urine
Passive: Associated with genuine stress incontinence; includes low urethral closure pressure, shortened profile length, negative urethral closing pressure with increased intra abdominal pressures - less increase in urethral closure pressure with upright positions; can occur in both sexes.
Active: Inappropriate relaxation; also known as unstable urethra; commonly associated with an unstable detrusor contraction. |
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Urinalysis
Chemical or microscopic analysis of urine |
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Urinary Meatus
External opening of the urethra |
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Urinary Tract
System which is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra |
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Urodynamics
Encompasses the morphological, physiological, biomechanical and hydrodynamic aspects of urine transport |
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Video-Cystourethrogram (VCUG)
Consists of visualization by the radiologist of one abnormally fast filling and one emptying of the bladder with a number of spot films at appropriate intervals. This can be the most valuable assessment of lower urinary tract structure as it changes during the micturition cycle. |
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