U - Glossary of Terms

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U - Glossary of Terms

ulcer	(ul'ser) Open, suppurating sore occurring on surface of skin or a mucous membrane, as distinguished from an abscess which is a lesion of deep-seated origin.
ulna	The medial and longer of the two bones in the forearm
ulnar	This is the preferred term for the medial side of the forearm and hand (see radial)
ultraviolet light	Light that is located at the short end of the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light and ionising X-rays; it is beyond the range of human vision.
umbilical	(um-bil'i-kal) Of or pertaining to navel, or umbilicus.
umbilical region	In the region of the umbilicus (see hypochondriac, epigastric, lumbar, inguinal and hypogastric)
umbilical cord	(um-bi´li-kal) A cordlike structure containing the umbilical arteries and vein and connecting the fetus with the placenta.
umbilicus	(um-bi-li-kus) The site where the umbilical cord was attached to the fetus; commonly called the navel.
unabsorbed	Pertaining to radiography, the term unabsorbed refers to that portion of the X-ray beam that traverses the patient and does not interact with the patient’s tissues. These X-ray photons pass through the patient unaffected and expose the X-ray film, thereby contributing to the creation of the radiographic image.
uncontrolled area	Area occupied by anyone; the maximum exposure rate allowed in this area is based on the recommended dose limit for the public.
underexposed	Referring to a radiograph that is too light because too little x-radiation reached the image receptor.
undifferentiated cell	An immature or a nonspecialised cell.
uni-	(u'ni-) Prefix meaning one, single, first; as in unilocular, unidirectional, unigravida
unified field theory	The theoretical combination of magnetic, electric, gravitational, and strong nuclear forces along with weak interaction to explain the physical laws of magnetism.
unilateral	(u"ni-later-al) Affecting or situated on only one side.
unipolar neuron	(yoo´ni-po-lar noor´on) A nerve cell that has a single nerve fiber extending from its cell body.
unit	A standard of measurement.
universal donor	A person with blood type O who is able to donate blood to people with other blood types in emergency blood transfusions.
universal recipient	A person with blood type AB who can receive blood of any type in emergency transfusions.
unsharpness	Loss of detail (blur) in a radiographic image.
upper extremity	The appendage attached to the pectoral girdle, consisting of the shoulder, brachium, elbow, antebrachium, and hand.
urate	Salt of uric acid.
urea	(yoo-re´a) The chief nitrogenous waste product of protein catabolism in the urine, formed in the liver from amino acids.
uremia	(yoo-re´me-a) The retention of urea and other products of protein catabolism as a result of inadequate kidney function.
uresis	(yoo-re'sis) Discharge of urine; urination.
ureter	(yoo-re´ter) A tube that transports urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
ureteral	(yoo-re'ter-al) Pertaining to ureter.
urethra	(yoo-re´thra) A tube that transports urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.
ureterography	(yoo-re"ter-og'ra-fe) Radiographic examination of ureter after injection of radiopaque solution.
urethral	(yoo-re'thral) Pertaining to urethra.
urethrogram	(yoo-re-thro-gram) Radiograph of contrast filled urethra.
urethrography	(yoo-re-throg'ra-fe) Radiographic examination of urethra during injection of contrast medium or during voiding.
-uria	(yoo're-ah) Suffix denoting some relation to urine; as hematuria, dysuria, pyuria.
urinary bladder	(yoo´ri-ner´´e) A distensible sac that stores urine, situated in the pelvic cavity posterior to the symphysis pubis.
uro-	Prefix denoting some relation to urine or to urinary tract, as in urodynia, urolithiasis.
urography	(yoo-rog'ra-fe) Radiographic examination of urinary tract or of any of its parts with contrast medium.
urticaria	(ur'ti-ka're-ah) Inflammatory skin disease characterised by transient, whitish wheals on a reddish base, causing intense stinging and itching; uredo; nettle rash; hives.
use factor (U)	The proportional amount of time during which the X-ray beam is energised or directed toward a particular barrier.
useful beam	The primary radiation used to form the image.
uterine	(yoo'ter-in) Of or pertaining to uterus.
uterine tube	(yoo´ter-in) The tube through which the ovum is transported to the uterus and the site of fertilization; also called the oviduct or fallopian tube.
utero-	(yoo'ter-o-) Prefix denoting some relation to uterus; as uterocele, uteroscope, uteritis.
uterography	(yoo'ter-og'ra-fe) Radiographic examination of uterus after injection of contrast medium.
uterosalpingography	(yoo'ter-o-sal'ping-og'ra-fe) Radiographic examination of uterus and oviducts after injection of contrast medium; hysterosalpingography.
uterus	(yoo´ter-us) A hollow, muscular organ in which a fetus develops. It is located within the female pelvis between the urinary bladder and the rectum; commonly called the womb.
utricle	(yoo´tri-k'l) An enlarged portion of the membranous labyrinth, located within the vestibule of the inner ear.
uvula	(yoo´vyuu-lua) A fleshy, pendulous portion of the soft palate that blocks the nasopharynx during swallowing.