U

Ulcer
Pronounced – UL-sur
A sore on the skin surface or on the stomach lining.

Ulcerative Colitis
Pronounced – UL-sur-ay-tuv koh-LY-tis
A serious disease that causes ulcers and irritation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum.

Urea
Pronounced – yoo-REE-uh
A waste product found in the blood and caused by the normal breakdown of protein in the liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine. Urea accumulates in the body of people with renal failure.

Uremia
Pronounced – yoo-REE-mee-uh
The illness associated with the buildup of urea in the blood because the kidneys are not working effectively. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and mental confusion.

Ureters
Pronounced – YOOR-uh-turs
Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Urethra
Pronounced – yoo-REE-thrah
The tube by which urine is released from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Urinary Incontinence (UI)
Pronounced – YOOR-in-air-ee in-KAHN-tih-nens
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder.

Urinary Tract Infection
Pronounced – yoor-in-ar-ee trakt in-feck-shun
An infection that happens in the bladder or tube leading to the bladder. It is usually caused by a type of bacteria. Also called UTI.

Urine
Pronounced – YOOR-in
Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of voiding or urinating.

Uvula
The soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth, at the edge of the soft palate. Also called palatine uvula.