Dictionary

Body systems

Anatomy and the conditions of each body system, from the heart and lungs to the skin.

urinary incontinenceLeaking of urine that a person cannot control.

urinary meatusThe opening at the end of the urethra through which urine leaves the body.

urinary retentionBeing unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.

urinary systemThe organs that make, store and pass urine: the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

urinary tractThe organs that make, carry, store and pass urine: the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

urinary tract infectionAn infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.

urinateTo pass urine out of the body; to empty the bladder.

urineThe liquid waste made by the kidneys and stored in the bladder until it leaves the body.

urine specific gravityA urine test that measures how concentrated the urine is, compared with the weight of plain water.

urticariaHives: raised, red, itchy welts on the skin.

uterineRelating to the uterus, the womb.

uterine atonyWeak or absent tightening of the uterus muscle after childbirth.

uterine contractionA tightening and then relaxing of the muscle of the uterus (womb), as happens during labor.

uterine fibroidA noncancerous growth of muscle and fibrous tissue in or on the wall of the uterus.

uterine ruptureA tear through the wall of the uterus during pregnancy or labor.

uteroplacentalHaving to do with the uterus and the placenta together, especially the blood flow between them.

uteroplacental insufficiencyToo little blood flow between the uterus and the placenta for the fetus's needs.

uterotonicA drug that makes the uterus contract, used to start or strengthen labor or to control bleeding after birth.

uterusThe hollow, muscular organ in the female pelvis where a fetus grows during pregnancy; the womb.

vaginaThe muscular tube that leads from the cervix of the uterus to the outside of the body; the birth canal.

vaginalRelating to the vagina.

vagus nerveThe 10th cranial nerve, which runs from the brain stem to the chest and belly and slows the heart and helps digestion.

variable decelerationAn abrupt drop in the fetal heart rate of at least 15 beats per minute that lasts at least 15 seconds and less than 2 minutes.

varicellaA very contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus; also called chickenpox.

varicesSwollen, twisted veins, most often in the lower esophagus or the stomach, or in the legs.

varicose veinA swollen, twisted vein just under the skin, most often in the legs, in which the valves do not work well.

vascularRelating to blood vessels.

vasculitisInflammation of blood vessels.

vasoconstrictionThe narrowing of blood vessels when the muscle in their walls tightens.

vasodilationThe widening of blood vessels as the muscle in their walls relaxes, which lets more blood flow through.

veinA blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart.

venaThe Latin word for vein, used in names such as vena cava.

vena cavaOne of the two large veins that return oxygen-poor blood from the body to the right atrium of the heart.

venous bloodBlood in the veins, returning to the heart after it has given up oxygen to the tissues.

venous insufficiencyA long-term condition in which the leg veins cannot carry blood back to the heart well.

venous returnThe flow of blood back to the heart through the veins.

venous stasisSlow or pooled blood flow in the veins, most often in the legs.

ventilationAir moving in and out of the lungs as a person breathes.

ventilator-associated pneumoniaA lung infection that starts 48 hours or more after a client has been put on a breathing machine through a tube.

ventralOn or toward the front, belly side of the body.

ventricleOne of the two lower chambers of the heart, or one of the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain.

ventricular fibrillationA heart rhythm in which the lower chambers quiver in a fast, chaotic way instead of pumping.

ventricular septal defectA hole in the wall between the heart's two lower chambers, present from birth.

ventricular tachycardiaA fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), usually over 100 beats per minute.

venuleA very small vein that collects blood from the capillaries.

vernix caseosaThe white, creamy, cheese-like coating on a newborn's skin.

vertebraOne of the bones that stack together to form the spine.

vertebral columnThe spine: the column of small bones (vertebrae) that runs down the back and surrounds the spinal cord.

vertigoA false feeling that you or the room around you is spinning or moving.

vesicalRelating to the urinary bladder.