ulcerationThe 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 colitisChronic inflammation of the colon that produces ulcers in its lining. This condition is marked by abdominal pain, cramps, and loose discharges of pus…
Ulmus fulvaThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
Ulmus rubraThe inner bark of this plant has been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. It may have antioxidant effects.
ultrasonogramA 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 energyA 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 transducerA 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 CareHealth care or services provided by hospitals or health care providers that don't get reimbursed.
Uncontrolled Diabetes AdmissionsDiabetes 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 studyA clinical study that lacks a comparison (i.e., a control) group.
unconventional cancer treatmentsApproaches 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 testiclesA condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum.
UndifferentiatedA 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 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.
UninsuredIf you do not currently have health insurance, you are uninsured.
Unmet NeedThe unmet need for primary health services among individuals who know their HIV status but are not receiving primary health care.
unresectable gallbladder cancerCancer 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…
unresectedDescribes 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 seriesA 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 CareCare 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 catheterA 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 AdmissionsThe 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.
urokinaseA 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)(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)(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(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 and Reasonable charge (UCR)(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 ReviewInsurance companies and hospitals watch their costs and quality by having medical personnel review selected medical cases.
UV radiationInvisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation also comes from sun lamps and tanning beds.
UVA radiationA type of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun.
UVB radiationA 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…
uvulaThe soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth (at the edge of the soft palate). Also called palatine uvula.
vaccineA substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.
vaccine adjuvantA substance added to a vaccine to improve the immune response so that less vaccine is needed.
vaccine therapy(vak-SEEN THAYR-uh-pee) A type of treatment that uses a substance or group of substances to stimulate the immune system to destroy a tumor or infectious…
vaccinia CEA vaccine(vak-SIN-ee-uh â¦. vak-SEEN) A vaccine made by putting the gene for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) into the vaccinia virus.
vaccinia-TRICOM vaccine(vak-SIH-nee-uhâ¦vak-SEEN) A cancer vaccine made with a form of a vaccinia virus that does not cause disease in humans.
vacuum aspiration(VAK-yoom as-per-AY-shun) A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated (opened) and vacuum is used to remove tissue from the uterus.
vagina(vuh-JY-nuh) The muscular canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body. Also called birth canal.
vaginal(VA-jih-nul) Having to do with the vagina (the birth canal).
vaginal cancer(VA-jih-nul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in the tissues of the vagina (birth canal).
vaginectomy(va-jih-NEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove part or all of the vagina (the birth canal).
valacyclovirA substance that is being studied in the prevention of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections in patients undergoing donor stem cell transplantation with…
valdecoxibA substance that is being studied as a treatment for pain and other side effects of cancer therapy.
valerianA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
Valeriana officinalisA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
Valerianae radixA plant whose roots are used as a sedative and to treat certain medical conditions.
valganciclovirAn antiviral agent that is being studied as a treatment for AIDS-related cytomegalovirus. It is changed in the body to ganciclovir.
Valium(VAL-ee-um) A drug used to treat mild to moderate anxiety and tension and to relax muscles. It is a type of benzodiazepine. Also called diazepam.
valproic acid(val-PROH-ik A-sid) A drug used to treat epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
valrubicin(val-ROO-bih-SIN) A drug used to treat bladder cancer that does not respond to BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin).
Value-Based Purchasing (VBP)(VBP)Linking provider payments to improved performance by health care providers. This form of payment holds health care providers accountable for both the cost…
vancomycinAn antibiotic drug used to fight resistant bacterial infections.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)(VRE)Bacteria that are normally present in the human intestines and in the female genital tract and are often found in the environment.