GLOSSARY OF UROLOGICAL TERMS

Alpha Blockers Medications
Prescription medications that aid in urination by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bladder and prostate.

Analgesic Medications
Prescription or non-prescription medications that provide relief from pain.

Antispasmodic Medications
Prescription medications that reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms, thereby relieving discomfort.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Non-malignant enlargement of the prostate that may cause problems with urination and impact quality of life; this enlargement is a normal condition with aging.

Catheterization
Insertion of a soft, flexible tube through the urethra into the bladder to allow urine drainage.

Coagulation
A process of heating and destroying tissue.

Cystoscopy
A procedure in which a scope is inserted through the urethra to visualize the bladder and urinary tract.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
An examination of the prostate in which the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate's size and condition.

Ejaculation
Release of semen from the penis during sexual climax.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
A non-surgical procedure that pulverizes kidney stones through the use of shockwaves directed at the stones through a water medium.

General Anesthesia
Induction of a temporary loss of consciousness and physical sensation as a result of IV (intravenous) or inhaled medications that are administered by an Anesthesiologist.

GreenLight PVP™ Laser Procedure
A minimally invasive procedure that vaporizes and removes enlarged prostate tissue.

Hormone Suppressing Medications
Prescription medications that inhibit the production of hormones in the body that stimulate growth of tissues.

Hyperplasia
Enlargement of an organ caused by overgrowth of normal cells.

Impotence
Loss of the ability to have an erection.

Incontinence
Leakage of urine due to loss of bladder control.

Indigo LaserOptic T Treatment System
A medical device for a non-surgical procedure called Interstitial Laser Coagulation of the Prostate (ILC) for treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Interstitial Laser Coagulation of the Prostate (ILC)
A minimally invasive procedure which utilizes a laser to heat and destroy excess prostate tissue.

IV (Intravenous) Sedation
Injection of medications by an Anesthesiologist directly into a vein to produce a calm, relaxed state, with or without the temporary loss of consciousness.

Kidney Stone
A deposit of mineral or organic substances that gradually build into a hard mass that can lodge in the kidney or ureter.

Lithotripsy
A procedure done to break up kidney stones in the urinary tract by means of ultrasonic shock waves, sound waves, or laser.

Open Nephrolithotomy
An invasive surgical procedure for removing kidney stones via a large incision into the patient's back or abdomen.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
An invasive surgical procedure for removing kidney stones via a small (1 cm.) incision through the patient's back. A scope is inserted into the kidney and the stones are removed manually. Lithotripsy may also be required to break up the stones.

Prostate
A gland of the male reproductive system that produces fluid for semen.

Regional (Spinal or Epidural) Anesthesia
Induction of a temporary loss of sensation in a specific body part, resulting from the injection of medications by an Anesthesiologist into the nervous system via the spinal column.

Retrograde Ejaculation
Ejaculation of semen backward into the bladder instead of through the urethra and out of the penis, usually induced by a TURP or a Prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate).

Semen
Fluid containing sperm and secretions from the glands of the male reproductive tract.

Stent
A small, flexible catheter, inserted into the ureter or kidney, to allow urine to drain into the bladder.

Thermotherapy
The use of heat above 45ºC to treat tissues or cells.

TransUrethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)
A surgical procedure to widen the urethra at the base of the bladder, in order to relieve obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate.

TransUrethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT)
A minimally invasive procedure that uses controlled heat to destroy excess prostate tissue.

TransUrethral Needle Ablation (TUNA)
A minimally invasive procedure which uses radiowaves to relieve obstruction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate.

TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Surgical removal of the inner core of the prostate by an approach through the urethra, rather than through an external incision of the skin.

Urethra
The channel that carries urine from the bladder and semen from the prostate and other sex glands out through the tip of the penis.

Ureter
A narrow passageway that connects each kidney to the bladder.

Ureteroscope
A flexible, fiberoptic instrument that is inserted through the urethra and bladder up to the ureter to remove kidney stones.

Ureteroscopic Stone Removal
Removal of a kidney stone from the ureter by use of a telescopic instrument.

Uric Acid Reducing Medications
Prescription medications that decrease the level of uric acid, a waste product, in the urine.

Urinary Alkalinizer Medications
Prescription medications that change the chemical nature of urine from acid to base

Urinary Obstruction
A blockage of the urinary tract that makes urination difficult.

Urologist
A physician who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system.

Watchful Waiting
A way of handling mild symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by having regular checkups instead of immediate treatment.