Glossary

BioScience.com.pk try the best to avoid the use of medical terms that could make it more difficult to understand the information on this website. Still, there are a number of terms that can't be avoided and that are useful to know because they are so often used by the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals with whom you might speak. The list below includes the terms used on BioScience.com.pk for which we have provided definitions.

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Term Definition
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Also known as: USPSTF

an independent, volunteer panel of health professionals and experts. It regularly reviews the latest scientific evidence, such as research studies, to develop and update recommendations on various preventive services. The panel issues the findings as draft documents open for public comment before officially adopting them. The USPSTF is convened by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) as authorized by the U.S. Congress.

Ulcer

A defect in the skin or lining of the mouth or intestines resulting from an infectious, malignant, or inflammatory process; examples include peptic (stomach) ulcers and mouth ulcers (canker sores)

Ulcerative colitis

A chronic disease of unknown cause that is characterized by inflammation, ulcers, and fluid collection in the lining of the colon; this condition may cause diarrhea with blood and/or mucus and stomach cramping and pain.

Unconjugated bilirubin

A fat-soluble form of bilirubin that is formed during the initial chemical breakdown of hemoglobin and, while being transported in the blood, is mostly bound to albumin.

Undifferentiated

Cells that are immature, embryonic or primitve, and have no specific form or specialized function are said to be undifferentiated

Uremia

A serious condition in which toxic waste products, normally excreted in the urine, build up in the blood; this is usually as a result of severe kidney disease or kidney failure.

Urethra

Tube through which urine passes from the bladder to outside of the body; in men, it is also the tube that runs through the penis and through which semen is dischargedTube through which urine passes from the bladder to outside of the body; in men, it is also the tube that runs through the penis and through which semen is discharged

Urinary casts

Protein shapes formed in the kidney tubules and released into the urine; they are roughly cylindrical with rounded ends and may have other components embedded in them such as red blood cells. Casts can be a sign of kidney disease.

USPSTF

Also known as: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

an independent, volunteer panel of health professionals and experts. It regularly reviews the latest scientific evidence, such as research studies, to develop and update recommendations on various preventive services. The panel issues the findings as draft documents open for public comment before officially adopting them. The USPSTF is convened by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) as authorized by the U.S. Congress.

Uveitis

Painful swelling and irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye (the layer just beneath the white of the eye), which causes redness without itching; it is a serious condition that can lead to loss of vision.