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UrologyHealth.org Glossary of Terms (there are 140 terms matching "P")

painful bladder syndrome:
	Another name for interstitial cystitis. A disorder that causes the bladder wall to become swollen and irritated, leading to scarring and stiffening of the bladder, decreased bladder capacity, and, in rare cases, ulcers in the bladder lining.
palpable:
	Able to be felt by the hands especially during medical examination.
palpated:
	Examined medically by touching.
pancreatic lesions:
	Tissue of the pancreas that has impaired function as a result of damage by disease or injury.
papillary tumor:
	Tumor with nipple-like, stalk-like or finger-like appearance.
paralytic agent:
	Drug used to temporarily paralyze an individual.
paraneoplastic syndrome:
	A group of complications and medical problems in patients who suffer from cancer. Complications can include high calcium levels, fever, blood clot formation, anemia, etc.
paraphimosis:
	Condition in which the foreskin is trapped behind the glans penis and cannot be pulled down to cover the head of the penis.
parasympathetic:
	A part of the autonomic nervous system. Parasympathetic activity causes contraction of the bladder and assists in the urination process.
paratesticular:
	Relating to the epididymis and vas deferens.
paraurethral cysts:
	Cysts affecting the Skene's glands, which are located alongside the urethra.
paraurethral glands:
	Also called Skene's glands. These are singular tubular glands located alongside the urethra.
parkinson's disease:
	Progressive neurological condition affecting movement such as walking, talking and writing.
partial nephrectomy:
	Surgery to remove the part of the kidney that contains a tumor.
paruretics:
	Individuals who suffer from paruresis, often referred to as bashful or "shy bladder" syndrome.
patent urachus:
	Unblocked urachus.
pathologic:
	Relating to disease or arising from disease.
pathological:
	Relating to disease or arising from disease.
pathologist:
	A physician who interprets and diagnoses the changes caused by disease in tissues and body fluids.
pathology:
	The process of a particular disease. Scientific study of the nature, origin, progress and cause of disease.
pathophysiological:
	The functional changes associated with or resulting from disease or injury.
pediatric urology:
	Treatment of congenital abnormalities and diseases of the genitourinary tract in children.
pelvic:
	Relating to, involving or located in or near the pelvis.
pelvic examination:
	Assessment of the inner organs of the pelvis by vaginal examination.
pelvic floor muscles:
	The hammock or sling of muscles in the pelvic floor that normally assists in maintaining continence by supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus and rectum).
pelvic muscle exercises:
	A treatment that requires repetitive active exercise of the pubococcygeus muscle. Exercising these muscles will improve urethral resistance and urinary control by strengthening the periurethral and pelvic muscles. Also called Kegel exercises or pelvic floor exercises.
pelvic muscles:
	Muscles around the rectum.
pelvis:
	The bowl-shaped bone that supports the spine and holds up the digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs. The legs connect to the body at the pelvis.
penile arterial revascularization:
	Microsurgical surgery to help reverse arterial damage that has occurred inside the penis.
penile cancer:
	Cancer of the penis.
penile clamp:
	A device used by men to put direct pressure on the penis to compress the urethra preventing urine leakage. When the device is removed (unclamped) the bladder is allowed to drain.
penile injection therapy:
	Treatment for impotence that utilizes a combination of drugs that are injected into the side of the penis. The drugs relax the muscles and increase blood flow to create an erection.
penile prostheses:
	Semirigid or inflatable devices that are implanted into penises to alleviate impotence.
penile shaft:
	The cylindrical body of the penis.
penile tumors:
	Abnormal mass of tissue of the penis that may be cancerous.
penis:
	The male organ used for urination and sex.
penopubic:
	Describing something located at the junction of the penis and the pubic.
percutaneous:
	To place or perform a procedure underneath the skin. No incision (cutting) is necessary.
percutaneous drainage:
	Draining of fluid by a catheter via the skin.
percutaneous nephrolithotomy:
	Also known as PNL. A method for removing kidney stones through keyhole surgery through the back using an instrument called a nephroscope.
perineal:
	Related to the area between the anus and the scrotum in males and the area between the anus and the vagina in females.
perineal prostatectomy:
	Removal of the prostate made through a surgical incision made between the area between the anus and the scrotum.
perineometer:
	An instrument used to measure the strength of the pelvic muscle contractions. An electronic perineometer is used in EMG biofeedback training.
perineum:
	The area between the anus and the scrotum in males and the area between the anus and the vagina in females.
peripheral:
	Near the surface of an organ.
peripheral artery:
	Arteries that carry blood to the arms and legs.
peritoneal cavity:
	The space enclosed by the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen.
peritoneal dialysis:
	Cleaning the blood by using the lining of the belly (abdomen) as a filter. A cleansing solution, called dialysate, is drained from a bag into the belly. Fluids and wastes flow through the lining of the belly and remain "trapped" in the dialysate. The dialysate is then drained from the belly, removing the extra fluids and wastes from the body. There are three types of peritoneal dialysis.
peritoneum:
	Strong, smooth, colorless membrane that lines the walls of the abdomen and covers numerous body organs including the bladder.
peritonitis:
	Inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdomen.
periurethral:
	Lining of the urethra.
periurethral bulking injections:
	Surgical procedure in which injected implants are used to "bulk up" the area around the neck of the bladder allowing it to resist increases in abdominal pressure which can push down on the bladder and cause leakage.
perivesical:
	Around the bladder.
pessary:
	A specially designed object worn in the vagina to hold the bladder in its correct position and prevent leakage of urine. Pessaries come in many shapes and sizes.
Peyronie's disease:
	A plaque (hardened area) that forms on the penis, preventing that area from stretching. During erection, the penis bends in the direction of the plaque, or the plaque may lead to indentation and shortening of the penis.
pharmacologic:
	Reaction to drugs.
pharmacologic treatment:
	The use of medications to treat urinary incontinence.
pheochromocytoma:
	A tumor of the adrenal gland, which is typically benign (non-cancerous).
phimosis:
	Condition in which the foreskin cannot be pulled back behind the head of the penis.
phobia:
	A persistent abnormal and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous.
PIN:
	Also known as prostatic interaepithelial neoplasia. Refers to the changes in the cells that line the ducts of the prostate that are detected under microscopic examination. It has been identified as a significant risk indicator for prostate cancer.
pituitary:
	Relating to or produced by the pituitary gland.
pituitary gland:
	The main endocrine gland. It is a small oval shaped structure in the head and it regulates growth, sexual maturing and metabolism.
pituitary tumor:
	Abnormal mass in the pituitary gland.
placebo:
	Drug with no active ingredients.
placenta:
	Organ that develops inside the uterus of a pregnant woman. Supplies the food and oxygen to the fetus through the umbilical cord and is expelled after birth.
plaque:
	Small, flattened patch of skin.
plasma renin activity:
	Also known as PRA. Measures the level of renin in the blood. Renin is an enzyme released by the kidney to help control the body's sodium-potassium balance, fluid volume, and blood pressure.
plasma renin activity level:
	Also referred to as PRA level. Used to screen high blood pressure or diagnose excess aldosterone in a condition called Conn's syndrome.
plication technique:
	Taking folds or tucks in the walls of an organ.
pneumothorax:
	Collection of air (pneumo) in thoracic (chest) cavity.
PNL:
	Also known as percutaneous nephrolithtomy. A method for removing kidney stones through keyhole surgery using an instrument called a nephroscope.
polycystic kidney disease:
	Also referred to as ADPKD. An inherited disorder characterized by many grape-like clusters of fluid-filled cysts that make both kidneys larger over time. These cysts take over and destroy working kidney tissue. ADPKD may cause chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease.
polydipsia:
	Excessive thirst all the time.
polyp:
	Small, stalk-like growth sticking out from the skin or from a mucous membrane.
polyuria:
	Passing of abnormally large amounts of urine.
post-void residual volume:
	A diagnostic test that measures how much urine remains in the bladder after urination.
posterior:
	Situated at the rear or behind something.
posterior urethral trauma:
	Trauma occurring in the membranous and prostatic urethra. Most commonly associated with pelvic fractures.
posterior urethral valves:
	Congenital obstruction of the urinary tract in boys produced by lips of tissue or valves in the area of the prostatic urethra.
postmenopausal:
	Relating to or occurring the time following menopause.
postoperative:
	Occurring after a surgical operation.
potassium:
	An alkali element.
pouchitis:
	Inflammation of the pouch created as treatment of a patient with ulcerative colitis.
PRA:
	Also known as plasma renin activity. Measures the level of renin in the blood. Renin is an enzyme released by the kidney to help control the body's sodium-potassium balance, fluid volume, and blood pressure.
PRA level:
	Also referred to as plasma renin activity level. Used to screen high blood pressure or diagnose excess aldosterone in a condition called Conn's syndrome.
pregnancy:
	The condition of being pregnant.
premature ejaculation:
	Ejaculation that occurs sooner than a man wishes, usually before or soon after penetration.
prenatal:
	Before birth.
prenatal fetal sonography:
	Sonogram taken of the fetus during pregnancy.
prenatal hydronephrosis:
	Swelling of the kidney before birth.
prenatally:
	Before birth.
priapism:
	A persistent erection of the penis, accompanied by pain and tenderness; resulting from a pathologic condition rather than sexual desire.
primary hyperoxaluria:
	A rare metabolic disease caused by the liver making too much oxalic acid that is excreted in the urine of the affected person.
probe:
	Small device for measuring and testing.
procreate:
	To produce offspring by reproduction.
proctitis:
	Inflammation of the rectum often marked by pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding.
prolapse:
	The protrusion or dropping of the uretus (uterine prolapse), rectum (rectocele) or bladder (cystocele) into the vagina.
prolapsed ureterocele:
	A ureterocele that has slipped into the neck of the bladder.
proliferation:
	Rapid spread or increase of something.
prompted voiding:
	A behavioral technique for use primarily with dependent or cognitively impaired persons. Attempts to teach the incontinent person awareness of his/her incontinence status and to request toileting assistance.
prostaglandin:
	An unsaturated fatty acid that resembles hormones in its activity.
prostatalgia:
	Pain in the prostate.
prostate:
	A walnut-shaped gland in men that surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder. The prostate supplies fluid that goes into semen.
prostate ducts:
	Passages within the prostate for excretions or secretions.
prostate-specific antigen:
	Also referred to as PSA. A protein made only by the prostate gland. High levels of PSA in the blood may be a sign of prostate cancer.
prostate-specific antigen test:
	Also referred to as PSA test. A blood test used to help detect prostate cancer.
prostatectomy:
	Surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate.
prostatic:
	Pertaining to the prostate.
prostatic fluid:
	Fluid secretions from the prostate.
prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia:
	Also known as PIN. Refers to the changes in the cells that line the ducts of the prostate that are detected under microscopic examination. It has been identified as a significant risk indicator for prostate cancer.
prostatic stent:
	A wire device that expands after surgical placement thus pushing prostate tissue away allowing for easier urination.
prostatism:
	A disorder of the prostate gland, especially enlargement that block or inhibits urine flow.
prostatitis:
	Inflammation or infection of the prostate. Chronic prostatitis means the prostate gets inflamed over and over again. The most common form of prostatitis is not associated with any known infecting organism.
prostatodynia:
	Pain in or near the prostate.
prosthesis:
	Artificial body part.
proteinuria:
	The presence of high levels of protein in the urine, indicating that the kidneys may not be working properly.
protheses:
	Artificial body parts.
proximal:
	Near to the point of reference or the center of the body.
prune belly syndrome:
	A triad of congenital symptoms that include multiple tract abnormalities. The common abnormalities include the absence of abdominal muscles, undescended testicles and abnormalities of the upper urinary tract.
PSA:
	Also referred to as prostate-specific antigen. A protein made only by the prostate gland. High levels of PSA in the blood may be a sign of prostate cancer.
PSA density:
	This test measures the size of the prostate gland and relates it to the level of a special protein in the blood.
PSA test:
	Also referred to as prostate-specific antigen test. A blood test used to help detect prostate cancer.
PSA Velocity (PSAV):
	Extrapolates the increase of the PSA between the two measurements to an increase over a full year.
PSAD:
	Stands for the PSA density. The PSA level divided by the size of the prostate.
PSAD:
	Stands for the PSA density. The PSA level divided by the size of the prostate.
pseudohermaphroditism:
	A congenital abnormality in which the external genitalia of a male or a female resemble those of the opposite sex.
psuedo:
	False.
psychiatric:
	Relating to the branch of medicine (psychiatry) that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
pubic bone:
	Also referred to as the pubis. Lower front of the hip bone.
pubic symphysis:
	Pubic (pelvic) bone that lies under the mons pubis.
pubococcygeus muscle:
	One of the muscles that holds the pelvic organs in place.
pudendal:
	Referring to external genital organs.
pudendal nerve:
	Main nerve supplying the pelvic floor, bladder and urethra.
pull-through vaginoplasty:
	Surgical procedure to create or repair an abnormal or absent vagina where the upper vagina is filled with blood so that the upper vagina can be brought down to the area where a normal vagina opening should occur.
pulmonary embolism:
	A condition in which a blood clot (called an embolus) travels through the bloodstream and lodges in an artery of the lung.
pus:
	The yellowish or greenish fluid that forms at sites of infection.
pyelonephritis:
	Also referred to as kidney infection usually caused by a germ that has traveled up through the urethra, bladder and ureters from outside the body. Typical symptoms include abdominal or back pain, fever, malaise and nausea or vomiting.
pyeloplasty:
	Surgical reconstruction of the renal pelvis to correct a blockage.
pyuria:
	The presence of pus in the urine.