Healthcare terms starting with U
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HUD is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government.
- ubiquinone A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
- UCN-01 An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called staurosporine analogs.
- UCR (Usual, Customary, and Reasonable) The amount paid for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service.
- UFT A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is a combination of tegafur and uracil.
- Uftoral A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is a combination of tegafur and uracil.
- UGT1A1 A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It is an enzyme produced by the liver and intestine.
- ulcer (UHL-ser) A break on the skin, in the lining of an organ, or on the surface of a tissue.
- ulceration The formation of a break on the skin or on the surface of an organ. An ulcer forms when the surface cells die and are cast off.
- ulcerative colitis Chronic inflammation of the colon that produces ulcers in its lining. This condition is marked by abdominal pain, cramps, and loose discharges of pus…
- Ulmus fulva The inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
- Ulmus rubra The inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
- ultrasonogram A computer picture of areas inside the body created by bouncing high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs. Also called sonogram.
- ultrasonography (UL-truh-soh-NAH-gruh-fee) A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes.
- Ultrasound (UL-truh-SOWND) A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes.
- ultrasound biomicroscopy (UL-truh-SOWND BY-oh-my-KROS-koh-pee) A type of ultrasound eye exam that makes a more detailed image than regular ultrasound.
- ultrasound energy A form of therapy being studied as an anticancer treatment. Intensified ultrasound energy can be directed at cancer cells to heat them and kill them.
- ultrasound transducer A device that produces sound waves that bounce off body tissues and make echoes.
- ultrasound-guided biopsy (BY-op-see) A biopsy procedure that uses an ultrasound imaging device to find an abnormal area of tissue and guide its removal for examination under a…
- ultraviolet radiation (UL-truh-VY-oh-let RAY-dee-AY-shun) Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun.
- ultraviolet radiation therapy (UL-truh-VY-oh-let RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A form of radiation used in the treatment of cancer.
- umbilical cord blood (um-BIH-lih-kul KORD blud) Blood from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. This blood contains high concentrations of stem cells (cells from which all…
- umbilical cord blood transplantation (um-BIH-lih-kul kord blud tranz-plan-TAY-shun) The injection of umbilical cord blood to restore an individual's own blood production system suppressed by…
- Uncompensated Care Health care or services provided by hospitals or health care providers that don't get reimbursed.
- Uncontrolled Diabetes Admissions Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for…
- uncontrolled study A clinical study that lacks a comparison (i.e., a control) group.
- unconventional cancer treatments Approaches that use substances or methods of treating cancer that have not been shown to be effective by accepted scientific methods, such as carefully…
- underactive thyroid (... THY-royd) Too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms include weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and sensitivity to the cold. Also called hypothyroidism.
- undescended testicles A condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum.
- Undifferentiated A term used to describe cells or tissues that do not have specialized ("mature") structures or functions.
- unguent (UNG-gwent) A substance used on the skin to soothe or heal wounds, burns, rashes, scrapes, or other skin problems. Also called ointment.
- unilateral Having to do with one side of the body.
- unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (YOO-nih-LA-teh-rul sal-PIN-goh-oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the ovary and fallopian tube on one side of the body.
- Uninsured If you do not currently have health insurance, you are uninsured.
- Unmet Need The unmet need for primary health services among individuals who know their HIV status but are not receiving primary health care.
- unresectable Unable to be removed with surgery.
- unresectable gallbladder cancer Cancer that has spread to the tissues around the gallbladder (such as the liver, stomach, pancreas, intestine, or lymph nodes in the area) and cannot be…
- unresected Describes an organ, tissue, or cancer that has not been either partly or completely removed by surgery.
- unsealed internal radiation therapy (...RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) Radiation therapy given by injecting a radioactive substance into the bloodstream or a body cavity, or by swallowing it.
- upper endoscopy (...en-DOSS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the stomach using an endoscope, passed through the mouth and esophagus.
- upper GI series A series of x-rays of the esophagus. The x-ray pictures are taken after the person drinks a solution that contains barium.
- urachus (YOO-rah-kus) A fibrous cord that connects the urinary bladder to the umbilicus (navel).
- uracil (YOOR-uh-sil) One of four building blocks of ribonucleic acid (RNA), a type of nucleic acid found in all cells.
- urea (yoo-REE-uh) A substance formed by the breakdown of protein in the liver. The kidneys filter urea out of the blood and into the urine.
- urea nitrogen (yoo-REE-uh NY-truh-jen) Nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea (a substance formed by the breakdown of protein in the liver).
- urea/lactic acid-based cream (yoo-REE-uh LAK-tik A-sid â¦) A substance being studied in the treatment of hand-foot syndrome (a condition caused by chemotherapy and marked by…
- ureter (YER-eh-ter) The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
- ureteronephrectomy (YER-eh-ter-oh-neh-FREK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove a kidney and its ureter. Also called nephroureterectomy.
- ureteroscopy (YER-eh-ter-OS-koh-pee) Examination of the inside of the kidney and ureter, using a ureteroscope.
- urethra (yoo-REE-thruh) The tube through which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder.
- urethral cancer (yoo-REE-thrul KAN-ser) A rare cancer that forms in tissues of the urethra (the tube through which urine empties the bladder and leaves the body).
- Urgent Care Care for an illness, injury or condition serious enough that a reasonable person would seek care right away, but not so severe as to require emergency…
- uric acid (YUR-ik A-sid) A waste product left over from normal chemical processes in the body and found in the urine and blood.
- urinalysis (YOOR-in-AL-ih-siss) A test that determines the content of the urine.
- urinary (YOOR-in-air-ee) Having to do with urine or the organs of the body that produce and get rid of urine.
- Urinary catheter A flexible tube that is inserted through the urethra and into the bladder to drain urine from the bladder into a bag or container.
- urinary diversion (YUR-ih-NAYR-ee dih-VUR-zhun) A surgical procedure to make a new way for urine to leave the body.
- urinary incontinence (YOOR-in-air-ee in-KAHN-tih-nens) Inability to hold urine in the bladder.
- urinary tract (YOOR-in-air-ee) The organs of the body that produce and discharge urine. These include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Urinary Tract Infection Admissions The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder and the tubes that help carry urine through the urinary tract and out of the body.
- urine (YOOR-in) Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.
- urine cytology (YOOR-in sy-TAH-loh-jee) Tests performed on cells in urine to detect disease.
- Urine Tests (Urinalysis.) Analysis of the fluid and dissolved substances excreted by the kidney.
- urokinase A drug that dissolves blood clots or prevents them from forming.
- urologic oncologist (YOOR-uh-LAH-jik on-KAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the urinary system.
- urologist (yoo-RAH-loh-jist) A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in females and the urinary and sex organs in males.
- urostomy (yoo-ROS-toh-mee) An operation to create an opening from inside the body to the outside, making a new way to pass urine.
- urothelium (yoo-roh-THEE-lee-um) The lining of the urinary tract, including the renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- ursodiol (ur-so-DYE-ole) A drug that is used to dissolve gallstones in people who can't have surgery to remove them.
- Usual and Customary Charges (UCC) The amount that your insurance company determines is the normal payment range for a specific medical procedure performed within a given geographic area.
- Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) The amount paid for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service.
- Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) Charges The cost associated with a health care service that is consistent with the going rate for identical or similar services within a particular geographic…
- Usual, Customary and Reasonable charge (UCR) The cost associated with a health care service that is consistent with the going rate for identical or similar services within a particular geographic…
- Usual, Customary, Reasonable (UCR) The amount paid for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service.
- uterine cancer (YOO-teh-rin KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the uterus (small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis in which a baby grows).
- uterine sarcoma (YOO-teh-rin sar-KOH-muh) A rare type of uterine cancer that forms in muscle or other tissues of the uterus (the small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a…
- uterus (YOO-ter-us) The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a baby grows. Also called womb.
- Utilization Review Insurance companies and hospitals watch their costs and quality by having medical personnel review selected medical cases.
- UV radiation Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation also comes from sun lamps and tanning beds.
- UVA radiation A type of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun.
- UVB radiation A type of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun.
- uvea (YOO-vee-uh) The middle layer of the wall of the eye. The uvea has 3 main parts: (1) the choroid (the tissue layer filled with blood vessels); (2) the…
- uveal tract (YOO-vee-ul trakt) The middle layer of the wall of the eye. The uveal tract has 3 main parts: (1) the choroid (the tissue layer filled with blood…
- uvula The soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth (at the edge of the soft palate). Also called palatine uvula.