Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Careers & Professional Terminology
nephrology: study of the kidneys
nephrologist: physician specializing in kidney disorders and treatment
urology: study of the urinary system
urologist: physician specializing in urinary system disorders and treatment
Imaging Techniques / Diagnostic Procedures for the Organ System
blood urea nitrogen: a laboratory test that measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood; indicates kidney function
cystogram: an x-ray image obtained after contrast media injected into the bladder
cystography: the process of obtaining a cystogram
cystoscope: a thin tube with a camera or lens, used to visualize the bladder
cystoscopy: visual examination of the bladder using a cystoscope
intravenous urogram: an x-ray image obtained after injecting contrast media to visually evaluate the entire urinary tract
nephrography: the process of obtaining a radiographic image of the kidney
nephroscopy: visual examination of the kidney
nephrosonography: obtaining a visual recording of the kidney via ultrasound waves
nephrotomogram: an image obtained via intravenous contrast media and x-ray tomography
renogram: an x-ray image obtained after injecting contrast media to evaluate blood flow in the kidney
specific gravity: a measurement of the density of a fluid (such as urine) compared to water
ureteroscopy: visual examination of the ureter
urethroscopy: visual examination of the urethra
urinalysis: analyzing the composition of urine via laboratory tests
urodynamics: any procedure that measures how well the bladder and urethra store and release urine
voiding cystourethrogram: a procedure that uses x-rays and a contrasting agent to evaluate the size, shape, and capacity of the bladder and urethra
Medical/Surgical Techniques & Procedures
cystectomy: surgical removal of the bladder
cystolithotomy: surgical incision to remove a bladder stone
cystorrhaphy: surgical suturing of the bladder
cystostomy: surgical creation of an opening in the bladder to void urine outside the body
cystotomy: surgical incision of the bladder
extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: administering a series of shock waves to break apart a kidney stone
fulguration: using a laser to destroy living tissue, such as bladder lesions
hemodialysis: purifying the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function properly; can utilize a dialysis machine or the patient’s peritoneum
meatotomy: surgical incision of the urinary meatus
nephrectomy: surgical removal of a kidney
nephrolithotripsy: surgical crushing and removal of a kidney stone
nephropexy: surgical suspension of a kidney
nephrostomy: surgical creation of an opening in the kidney to void urine outside the body
pyelolithotomy: surgical incision to remove stone from the renal pelvis
pyeloplasty: surgical repair of the renal pelvis
renal transplant: transplanting a donor kidney into a recipient when their own kidneys no longer function
ureterectomy: surgical removal of a