Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «U»:
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Uterine fornix
Uterine fornix: The fornix of the uterus (known in medical Latin as the "fornix uteri") refers to the anterior (front) and posterior (back) recesses into which the upper vagina is divided. These vaultlike recesses are formed by protrusion of the cervix into the vagina. The fornix uteri is also know...
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Uterine lining
Uterine lining: The inner layer of the uterus (womb); the cells that line the womb; anatomically termed the endometrium.
This tissue is normally shed monthly in response to the hormonal changes of the menstrual period....
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Uterine retroversion
Uterine retroversion: A slight to dramatic
placement of the uterus that orients it toward the back. A
tipped uterus is common and usually causes no difficulty.
In severe cases, it can affect choice of birth control
method and cause pain in the pelvic area, especially during
intercourse. Also ca...
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Uterine rupture
Uterine rupture: A tear of the uterus, an uncommon but very serious situation that may result in hysterectomy, urologic injury, a need for blood transfusion, maternal death, and perinatal complications including neurologic impairment or death of the baby.
Causes of uterine rupture include trauma, l...
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Uterine tube
Uterine tube: Also called the Fallopian tube.
There are two Fallopian tubes, one on each side. They transport
the egg from the ovary to the uterus (the womb). The Fallopian tubes
have small hair-like projections called cilia on the
cells of the lining.
These tubal cilia are essential to the mov...
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Uteroglobin
Uteroglobin: A protein that is induced by progesterone and binds it and that inhibits the enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Uteroglobin was first found to be secreted by the lining of the uterus in rabbits. The gene for uteroglobin is on chromosome 11 in region 11q12.3-q13.1. It is also called blastok...
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Uterus
Uterus: The uterus (womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ
located in a woman's lower abdomen between the bladder and the
rectum. The narrow, lower portion of the uterus is the cervix; the
broader, upper part is the corpus. The corpus is made up of two
layers of tissue.
In women of childbearing a...
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Uterus cancer
Uterus cancer: See: Uterine cancer....
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Uterus, contraction of the
Uterus, contraction of the: The tightening and shortening of the uterine muscles.
During labor, contractions accomplish two things: (1) they cause the cervix to thin and dilate (open); and (2) they help the baby to descend into the birth canal.
Uterine contractions also occur during the monthly m...
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Uterus, prolapsed
Uterus, prolapsed: A uterus that has moved from
its normal position in the abdominal cavity, usually into a
lower position. Prolapsed uterus may occur because of
underlying weak muscles, or simply as a result of repeated
term pregnancies. It can sometimes interfere with
conception, cause diffic...
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Uterus, tipped
Uterus, tipped: A slight to dramatic placement of
the uterus that orients it toward the back. A tipped uterus
is common and usually causes no difficulty. In severe
cases, it can affect choice of birth control method and
cause pain in the pelvic area, especially during
intercourse. Also known as...
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UTI
UTI: Urinary tract infection. (Not to be confused with
URI: upper respiratory infection). ...
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UTI in children
UTI in children: See: Urinary tract infection in children....
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Utility
Utility: In the analysis of health outcomes, utility is a number
between 0 and 1 that is assigned to a state of health or an outcome. Perfect health has a
value of 1. Death has a value of 0....
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UV radiation
UV radiation: Ultraviolet radiation. Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun, can burn the skin, and cause skin cancer. UV radiation is made up of three types of rays -- ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC).
UVC is the most dangerous type of...
