BAUS Home Moduleglossary Share Coming soon A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Back to top A Abacterial cystitis Inflammation of the bladder of uncertain cause, in the absence of any bacterial infection ... More Information Active monitoring A term which describes careful & close follow-up of any condition (usually cancer) without any treatment; specific intervention is only implemented when there are clear signs of disease progression or a deterioration in the patient's health. Sometimes called "active surveillance" or "watchful waiting" Adenocarcinoma A cancerous tumour developing from the glandular component of any organ (in urology, this usually applies to the prostate or kidney) Amino-aciduria See: Cystinuria Analgesic A drug used to relieve pain (i.e. a painkiller) Angiomyolipoma A benign tumour of the kidney which arises from blood vessels and fat; it may, if it grows large enough, rupture and cause bleeding into or around the kidney Antiandrogen A drug that blocks the effects of the male hormone (testosterone), often used in the treatment of prostate cancer Antibiotic A drug belonging to a large group of agents used to eradicate bacterial infection Anti-inflammatory (NSAID) A drug which reduces inflammation and helps to relieve pain, often used to treat prostatitis and the pain of kidney stones. Also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Assisted conception Fertility treatment utilising sperm retrieval and fertilisation by artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), sperm microinjection (ICSI) or transfer of a fertilised egg to the Fallopian tube (GIFT) ... More Information Autologous Derived or transferred from the patient’s own body Azoospermia The complete absence of sperms in ejaculated semen. This is one of the causes of male-factor infertility and is usually due to failure of production of sperms by the testis or to obstruction of the tubing along which sperms normally pass ... More Information Back to top B Balanitis Inflammation / infection of the tip of the penis ... More Information Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) A scarring disease of the foreskin, of unknown cause, which results in a tight foreskin. Sometimes referred to as lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) ... More Information BCG See: Immunotherapy Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Benign enlargement of the prostate gland, invariably seen with increasing age ... More Information Biopsy A tissue sample taken from any organ or part of the body to ascertain whether any abnormality is present Bladder cancer (TCC) A tumour which develops in the internal lining of the bladder wall; usually a malignant transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) ... More Information Bladder instability See: Overactive bladder More Information Bladder training A technique whereby the patient learns to resist the urge to urinate by passing urine according to a strict, timed schedule ... More Information Brachytherapy A type of radiotherapy where radioactive seeds are implanted directly into an organ, usually the prostate gland ... More Information Back to top C Calcium oxalate The commonest constituent of kidney stones and the type of stone which is most prone to recur Calculus A stone, usually in the kidney or ureter. Stones may also occur in the prostate, bladder or (more rarely) in the seminal vesicles (sperm sacs) Calyx The outermost part of the collecting system of the kidney where urine is first released for excretion dwon to the bladder Castration (medical) The use of drugs to antagonise the male or female hormones, having the same effect as surgical removal of the testicles or ovaries Castration (surgical) Removal of both testicles (in men) or ovaries (in women) Catheter A rubberised or silicone tube passed into a hollow organ (usually the bladder) to drain its contents ... More Information Chemotherapy The use of drugs to treat cancer More Information Chordee A deformity of the penis which results in a bending on erection ... More Information Chronic retention of urine See: Overflow incontinence Circumcision Surgical removal of the foreskin, usually performed for phimosis ... More Information Clavien (Clavien-Dindo) classification A grading system for measuring the severity of surgical complications ... More Information Colposuspension An operation in which stitches are inserted to lift up the bladder neck and correct stress incontinence ... More Information Co-morbidity The presence of one or more disorders (or diseases), together with a primary disease or disorder, which increase(s) a patient's susceptibility to complications Computerised tomography (CT) A form of X-ray where slices are taken through the body to produce images at different levels Corpora cavernosa The two erectle cylinders running along the length of the penis which fill with blood during erection Creatinine A waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys and expelled in the urine Cryotherapy Destruction of a tissue or organ by freezing to a very low temperature ... More Information Cystectomy Surgical removal of the bladder, usually for invasive cancer ... More Information Cystinuria An inherited disorder of metabolism which results in high levels of the amino acid cystine in the urine and leads to formation of cystine stones ... More Information Cystitis Inflammation of the internal lining of the bladder ... More Information Cystocele Prolapse of the bladder into the vagina Cystogram An X-ray of the bladder where dye is inserted into the bladder using a catheter Cystometrogram (CMG) A technique for assessing bladder function by filling the bladder with fluid or gas and measuring the pressure inside the bladder during filling (and emptying) ... More Information Cystoscopy Inspection of the bladder using a telescope (either flexible or rigid) with an attached light source to illuminate the interior of the bladder ... More Information Cytology The study of individual cells, usually in the urine, under a microscope to identify malignancy or other disorders Cytoreductive surgery The surgical removal of part of a malignant tumour (which cannot be completely removed) in order to reduce the bulk of the tumour and make radiation or chemotherapy more likely to be effective Back to top D Debulking See: Cytoreductive surgery Detrusor muscle The interlocking muscle fibres which form the bladder wall, allowing the bladder to contract and empty itself of urine Dialysis See: Haemodialysis Digital rectal examination (DRE, PR) Examination of the back passage with a gloved finger, usually to feel the prostate gland Dilatation Stretching or widening of an opening, usually the urethra or neck of the bladder ... More Information Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) A chemical solution instilled into the bladder to help painful bladder conditions such as interstitial (abacterial) cystitis ... More Information Diverticulum An abnormal pouch leading off the cavity of a hollow organ; most commonly seen in the bladder Dribbling Leakage after the normal passage of urine due to either obstruction (prostate or stricture) or to an abnormal outpouching of the urethra (diverticulum) Dysuria Painful passage of urine Back to top E Ectopic Lying in the wrong place as a result of an inherited abnormality. This can apply to any structure in the body but is most commonly seen with testicles and kidneys Embolisation Blocking the artery to an organ by introducing foam, coils or gel under X-ray control using a small catheter placed in the artery Endourology A generic term for inspection of the internal lining of organs of the urinary tract using a telescope and an illuminating light source Enterocele Prolapse of the small or large bowel into the back part of the vagina Enuresis Incontinence of urine at night usually considered synonymous with bedwetting Epididymis The sperm-carrying mechanism lying behind the testis which stores sperms for ejaculation and prepares them for fertilisation Epididymitis (epididymo-orchitis) Inflammation / infection of the epididymis, often involving the testis as well (epididymo-orchitits) ... More Information Erectile deformity See: Peyronie's disease Erectile dysfunction (MED) Impotence: the inability to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for penetration and the satisfaction of both sexual partners ... More Information Erection The complex process of hardening & enlargement of the penis as a result of sexual stimulation Exstrophy / Ectopia vesicae A congenital condition where the bladder and urethra fail to close and lie on the surface of the lower abdomen open to the outside Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) Shockwaves generated in water, focussed and fired through the body to fragment stones in the kidney or ureter ... More Information Extravasation Leakage of urine or surgical irrigation fluid outside the urinary tract Back to top F Fournier's gangrene A life-threatening infection, usually of the genital region, resulting in death of tissue and profound collapse (due to the toxins released by the dead tissue) Frenulum The thin bridge of skin on the under-surface of the penis joining the head of the penis to the inside of the foreskin Frequency Passing urine too often, usually during the day Back to top G Gleason grade A method of scoring the aggressiveness of prostate cancer by assessing the pathological appearance of the tumour under a microscope Green light laser (PVP) A technique for relieving prostatic obstruction using a KTP (potassium titanyl phosphate) laser which emits visible, green light Back to top H Haematospermia (haemospermia) Blood in the semen during ejaculation ... More Information Haematuria Blood in the urine ... More Information Haemodialysis Filtration of the blood using an external machine to remove harmful waste products in patients whose own kidneys have failed ... More Information Haemoglobin A specialised molecule, found only in red blood cells, which transports oxygen around the body via the bloodstream; a shortage of haemoglobin is known as anaemia. Hesitancy Having to wait an abnormally long time for the flow of urine to start High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU) The use of high-energy, focused sound waves to destroy abnormal tissues or organs, currently only used experimentally on the prostate & kidney High-Dependency Unit (HDU) A ward area where intermediate care is provided for patients who require more careful monitoring than is available on a normal ward Histology / Histopathology The science of assessing tissue under a microscope to determine whether any abnormality is present Horseshoe kidney A rare, congenital abnormality where the two kidneys are joined together across the midline to form an inverted horseshoe Hydrocele An abnormal collection of fluid in the naturally-occurring sac which surrounds the testicle ... More Information Hydronephrosis Distension of the kidney due to obstruction, reflux or a congenital abnormality Hypospadias A congenital abnormality of the penis where the urethra (urinary orifice) does not open at the tip of the penis; often associated with a downward bending of the penis (chordee) Back to top I Immunotherapy Treatment of cancer by stimulating the natural immune response, usually with BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) ... More Information Impotence See: Erectile dysfunction In vitro fertilisation (IVF) See: Assisted conception Incontinence Involuntary leakage of urine ... More Information Inferior vena cava A large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower body, and lower torso, to the heart. Infertility Inability of a couple to produce a pregnancy following a minimum of 1 year of trying without contraceptive precautions ... More Information Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU, ICU) A ward area where advanced life-support measures can be given to critically-ill patients before or after surgery International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) A symptom score to determine the severity of erectile & ejaculatory function and their impact on quality of life ... More Information International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) See: Symptom score Interstitial cystitis See: Abacterial cystitis Intravenous urogram (IVU) An X-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder performed using an injection of dye into a vein in the arm Irrigation The use of saline or other bottled fluids to keep the bladder clear of clotting blood before, during or after surgery Back to top J Juxta-glomerular apparatus (JGA) A specialised cluster of blood vessels close to each kidney which secretes hormones that govern blood pressure & salt balance in the body Back to top K Kidney One of two paired organs (normally) which lie at the back of the abdomen, in front of the lower ribs, and filter the blood to produce urine Kidney cancer (renal cancer) A tumour arising from the kidney, usually an adenocarcinoma Kidney transplant See: Transplantation Back to top L Laparoscope A telescope with a light source and camera attached which is inserted into the abdominal cavity (through a small incision) to perform 'keyhole' surgery ... More Information Laser Light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation; an energy source for performing some types of urological surgery Length of stay The number of nights that a patient stays in hospital following a surgical or investigative procedure Litholapaxy Crushing of a stone, usually in the bladder, to reduce it to fragments small enough to be passed spontaneously or removed through an endoscope ... More Information Lithotripsy Wearing away of a stone; usually synonymous with ESWL ... More Information Lymphadenectomy (lymph node dissection) Surgical removal of lymph nodes to determine whether they are involved with cancer ... More Information Back to top M Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) A means of producing cross-sectional images of the body to characterise tissues by stimulating electrons in tissue to move in response to a strong magnetic field Metastasis A secondary tumour (remote from the original cancer) which has arisen by spread through the bloodstream, the lymphatic system or by direct seeding Micturition See: Voiding Morbidity A diseased state, disability, or poor health Mortality rate A measure of the number of deaths in a given population Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) A group of clinicians, from all specialities involved in care of a particular condition, who combine to discuss individual patient problems and to recommend treatment plans for each patient Back to top N Nd-YAG See: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Necrotising fasciitis See: Fournier's gangrene Nephrectomy Surgical removal of the kidney ... More Information Nephroblastoma See: Wilm's tumour Nephron The basic microscopic unit in the kidney which filters water and waste products from the blood Nephro-ureterectomy Surgical removal of the kidney and ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder), usually performed for a malignant tumour of the inner lining of the kidney or ureter ... More Information Nocturia Abnormal passage of urine at night Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumour (NSGCT) See: Teratoma Nuclear magentic resonance (NMR) See: Magnetic resonance imaging Back to top O Orchidectomy The surgical removal of one or both testicles ... More Information Orchitis Inflammation (or infection) of a testicle Overactive bladder (OAB) A condtion caused by involuntary bladder contractions during filling which cannot be suppressed ... More Information Overflow incontinence Leakage of urine from a bladder which is permanently full. Also known as chronic retention with overflow ... More Information Back to top P Paraphimosis Retraction of a tight foreskin which becomes "stuck" due to an inability to return it to its original position covering the head of the penis Partial nephrectomy Surgical removal of part of the kidney ... More Information Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) Puncture of the kidney through a small incision in the flank with passage of a telescope into the kidney which is used to visualise, fragment and extract stones ... More Information Peritoneal dialysis (PD) Removal of waste products from patients with kidney failure by washout of the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity through a specially-inserted catheter ... More Information Peyronie's disease A plaque (hardened area) that forms in the penis preventing that area from stretching and resulting in bending, indentation ("waisting") or shortening of the penis ... More Information Phimosis Tightness of the foreskin, either due to a scarring disease or as a result of a congenital abnormality ... More Information Photoselective vaporisation of prostate (PVP) See: Green light laser Plasma cell balanitis See: Zoon's balanitis Polydipsia Excessive thirst which causes the patient to drink large amounts of fluid Polyuria Over-production of urine, usually at night, common in the elderly due to poor water handling ability with increasing age ... More Information Positron emission tomography (PET) A scanning technique, occasionally used to assess the spread of cancer, which combines radio-isotope scanning with CT or MRI Priapism A persistent, painful erection which occurs without sexual stimulation ... More Information Prostate A chestnut-sized organ lying at the bottom of the bladder which produces chemicals to nourish sperms and facilitate their transport to the female uterus Prostatectomy Removal of the prostate gland by telescopic or open surgery Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) A chemical released into the bloodstream by the prostate gland which may be raised in men with prostate cancer ... More Information Prostatitis Infection or inflammation of the prostate gland ... More Information Prosthesis An artifical implant used to replace any part of the body (e.g. a testicle) Pyelitis / Pyelonephritis Inflammation of the kidney, usually as a result of bacterial infection Back to top Q Quality of Life Score (QoL) A means of assessing the impact of symptoms on the overall day-today activities of patients Back to top R Radio frequency ablation (RFA) Destruction of an organ or tissue using inserted needles which produce microwave-type energy More Information Radio-isotope scanning (nuclear medicine imaging) The use of low-dose, radioactive agents injected into the body to demonstrate structure and function of tissues or organs Rectocele See: Enterocele Renal colic Intermittent, excruciating pain produced by the passage of a stone from the kidney downwards towards the bladder Robotic (or robotic assisted) This describes a type of keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery where a robot is used to aid the surgeon in carrying out the procedure Back to top S Scintigraphy See: Radio-isotope scanning Seminal vesicle One of a pair of sacs lying behind the prostate gland which store seminal fluid and sperms in preparation for ejaculation Seminoma One of the two commonest forms of testicular cancer Shunt See: Vascular Access Sling An artificial or natural material inserted, usually around the urethra, to treat urinary incontinence Sphincter A muscular, valve mechanism which prevents outflow from any organ in the body (e.g. bladder, bile ducts, rectum) Spina bifida A congenital defect in the bones of the spinal column, often affecting the spinal cord, resulting in neurological defects in the lower part of the body Stent A small tube or splint inserted to keep a tube or blood vessel open More Information Sterility See: Infertility Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) The involuntary leakage of urine during periods of raised abdominal pressure (e.g. coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting) ... More Information Stricture Abnormal scarring or narrowing of a hollow tube Struvite (triple phosphate) A type of kidney stone, usually caused by infection and often occurring in women, consisting of calcium, magnesium & ammonium phosphate More Information Symptom score A simple questionnaire to determine the severity of a patient's symptoms (e.g. chronic pelvic pain symptoms, prostate symptoms, erectile dysfunction) Back to top T Teratoma (NSGCT) One of the two commonest forms of testicular cancer Testicular cancer One of commonest tumours in young men; usually a seminoma or teratoma ... More Information Testosterone The main male hormone produced mainly by the testicles (but also, in small amounts, by the adrenal gands) Thermotherapy Destruction of an organ or tissue by heating to a high temperature TNM A staging system for cancer which describes the extent of the primary tumour (T), the lymph nodes (N) and metastases (M) Transfusion Administration of blood (or blood products) by intravenous injection ... More Information Transfusion rate The proportion of patients (expressed as a percentage, %) requiring a blood transfusion following surgery Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) A malignant (cancerous) tumour arising from the internal lining of the urinary tract Transplantation Surgical implantation of a donated organ to replace one which has failed to work effectively ... More Information Transurethral resection (TUR) Usually of the prostate gland (TURP) or of a tumour in the bladder (TURBT) Trial without catheter (TWOC) Removal of a catheter from the bladder to re-establish normal passage of urine ... More Information Tumescence See: Erection Back to top U Ultrasound (U/S) High-frequency sound waves used diagnostically to determine the nature of tissues by reflecting sound waves off them Urachus A communication between the umbilicus and the top of the bladder which normally closes before birth but may persist abnormally into later life Ureter The thin, muscular tube which propels urine down from the kidneys to the bladder Ureteric colic See: Renal colic More Information Ureteroscopy (URS) Inspection of the ureter (and/or kidney) using a telescope (either flexible or rigid) with an attached light source passed into the bladder and up the ureter towards the kidney ... More Information Urethra The tube through which urine passes to the outside of the body from the bladder Urgency A sudden, irresistible desire to pass urine Uric acid (urate) A chemical, eliminated in the urine, whose levels can build up in the body (to produce gout) or in the kidneys (to produce stones) Urodynamics See: Cystometrogram Back to top V Varicocele An abnormal collection of varicose veins above the testicle, usually on the left side Vas deferens A muscular tube which carries sperm from the epididymis into the urethra during ejaculation of semen Vascular access A means of connecting an artery to a vein (either in the arm or leg) to allow the vein to be used for haemodialysis ... More Information Vasography An X-ray examination performed through the vas deferens to establish the presence or absence of obstruction in the tubing; now largely obsolete due to improved sperm retrieval techniques Voiding Passing urine Von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL) A rare, inherited condition causing tumours and cysts in the retina, brain and kidneys Back to top W Washouts See: Irrigation Watchful waiting See: Active monitoring WHO performance status A grading system, devised by the World Health Organisation, for assessing patient fitness: 0: able to carry out all normal activity without restriction 1: restricted in strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out light work 2: ambulatory and capable of all self-care but unable to carry out any work activities; up and about more than 50% of waking hours 3: symptomatic and in a chair or in bed for greater than 50% of the day but not bedridden 4: completely disabled; cannot carry out any self-care; totally confined to bed or chair Wilm's tumour A form of kidney cancer, also known as a nephroblastoma, occurring predominantly in children ... More Information Back to top X X-ray A picture taken using non-visible wavelengths of radiation to produce images of parts of the body Back to top Y Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) A type of laser energy produced by generating laser light in a neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) crystal Back to top Z Zoon's balanitis (plasma cell balanitis) A type of inflammation of the foreskin and penis, only seen in the uncircumcised, characterised by dense infiltration of the tissues with plasma cells Click here for a feedback form to send us your comments PLEASE NOTE: for some procedures, especially those that involve open (cutting) surgery, your surgeon may discuss shaving of the surgical site with you Patients Find a SurgeonWhat Is Urology?Urological CancerPaediatric (Children's) UrologyStone Disease Patient Advisory SectionGlossary"I think I might have..."Blood in the semen (haematospermia) Blood in the urine (haematuria) Erectile dysfunction (impotence) Fertility problems Incontinence of urine Kidney stones Male menopause (androgen deficiency in the ageing male) Premature ejaculation Prostate symptoms (bladder outlet obstruction) Raised PSA Testicle missing Testicular lump Tight foreskin (phimosis) Urinary infection (adult) Surgical Audit Projects"I'm told I need..."Bladder Procedures Fertility & Infertility Procedures Kidney & Adrenal Procedures Miscellaneous Procedures Penis Procedures Prostate Procedures Retroperitoneum Procedures Stone Procedures Testis & Scrotal Procedures Transplantation & Dialysis Procedures Ureter Procedures Urethra Procedures Vaginal Mesh ComplicationsYour Patient Journey Print this page Email to a friend Link to this page Add to My Links Save as PDF Give feedback