Medical terms - Letter U (page 4) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Uterine fornix

The fornix of the uterus (known in medical Latin as the 'fornix uteri') refers to the anterior (front) and posterior (back) recesses into which the upper vagina is divided. These vaultlike recesses are formed by…
Uterine lining

The inner layer of the uterus (womb); the cells that line the womb; anatomically termed the endometrium. This tissue is normally shed monthly in response to the hormonal changes of the menstrual period.
Uterine retroversion

A slight to dramatic placement of the uterus that orients it toward the back. A tipped uterus is common and usually causes no difficulty. In severe cases, it can affect choice of birth control method and cause pain in…
Uterine rupture

A tear of the uterus, an uncommon but very serious situation that may result in hysterectomy, urologic injury, a need for blood transfusion, maternal death, and perinatal complications including neurologic impairment or…
Uterine tube

Also called the Fallopian tube. There are two Fallopian tubes, one on each side. They transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus (the womb). The Fallopian tubes have small hair-like projections called cilia on the…
Uteroglobin

A protein that is induced by progesterone and binds it and that inhibits the enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Uteroglobin was first found to be secreted by the lining of the uterus in rabbits. The gene for uteroglobin is…
Uterus

The uterus (womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen between the bladder and the rectum. The narrow, lower portion of the uterus is the cervix; the broader, upper part is the corpus. The…
Uterus cancer

See: Uterine cancer
Uterus, contraction of the

The tightening and shortening of the uterine muscles. During labor, contractions accomplish two things: (1) they cause the cervix to thin and dilate (open); and (2) they help the baby to descend into the birth canal…
Uterus, prolapsed

A uterus that has moved from its normal position in the abdominal cavity, usually into a lower position. Prolapsed uterus may occur because of underlying weak muscles, or simply as a result of repeated term pregnancies…
Uterus, tipped

A slight to dramatic placement of the uterus that orients it toward the back. A tipped uterus is common and usually causes no difficulty. In severe cases, it can affect choice of birth control method and cause pain in…
UTI

Urinary tract infection. (Not to be confused with URI: upper respiratory infection).
UTI in children

See: Urinary tract infection in children
Utility

In the analysis of health outcomes, utility is a number between 0 and 1 that is assigned to a state of health or an outcome. Perfect health has a value of 1. Death has a value of 0
UV radiation

Ultraviolet radiation. Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun, can burn the skin, and cause skin cancer. UV radiation is made up of three types of rays -- ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B…
Uvea

Part of the eye, consisting collectively of the iris, the choroid of the eye, and the ciliary body > >The iris: The circular, colored curtain of the eye that surrounds the pupil. >The choroid of the eye: The thin…
Uveitis

Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the part of the eye that collectively refers to the iris, the choroid of the eye, and the ciliary body. The uvea provides most of the blood supply to the retina. Uveitis as a rule…
Uvula

The small piece of soft tissue that can be seen dangling down from the soft palate over the back of the tongue. The uvula is described variously shaped like a U, a tear or a grape. Its name comes from the Latin word for…
Uvulitis

Inflammation of the uvula
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

A type of operation designed to tighten up flabby tissues and enlarge the upper air passages. The operation involves reshaping the uvula (uvulo-), soft palate (-palato-) and throat (-pharyngo-). The uvula is a small…