Category: Us-Uz

A type of operation designed to tighten up flabby tissues and enlarge the upper air passages. The operation involves reshaping the uvula (uvulo-), soft palate (-palato-) and throat (-pharyngo-). The uvula is a small piece of soft tissue that can be seen dangling down from the soft palate over the back of the tongue. The uvula is described variously…

Urinary tract infection.

A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman’s lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum. The narrow lower portion of the uterus is the cervix (the neck of the uterus). The broader upper part is the corpus, which is made up of three layers of tissue. In women of childbearing age, the inner layer (endometrium) of the uterus goes through a…

A tear in the uterus. A uterine rupture is a very serious situation. Causes include trauma, labor with an unusually big baby, multiple gestation, and vaginal delivery after a prior C-section (in which the old C-section scar ruptures). Uterine rupture can lead to hysterectomy, urologic injury, the need for blood transfusion, and even the death of the mother and baby.

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 vault like recesses are formed by protrusion of the cervix into the vagina. The fornix uteri is also known as the fornix vaginae (the vaginal fornix). In anatomy, a vault like or arched structure. “Fornix” is the…

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus (the womb). They are the single most common indication for hysterectomy. Uterine fibroids can be present, but be inapparent. However, they are clinically apparent in up to 25% of all women and cause significant morbidity (disease), including prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, and, in rare cases, reproductive dysfunction. Both the economic…

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 menstrual cycle and are recognized as menstrual cramps.

The periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the uterus. Also called menorrhea, the time during which menstruation occurs is referred to as menses. The menses occurs at approximately 4 week intervals to compose the menstrual cycle.

Abbreviation meaning “as directed” (from the Latin “ut dictum”, as directed). One of a number of hallowed abbreviations of Latin terms that have traditionally been used in prescriptions. Some others:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It consists of the Office of the Commissioner and four directorates overseeing the core functions of the agency: Medical Products and Tobacco, Foods and Veterinary Medicine, Global Regulatory Operations and Policy, and Operations. FDA is responsible for: Protecting…