Dictionary

urine, blood in the See hematuria.

Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that normally has an amber color. The average amount of urine excreted in 24 hours is between 5 to 8 cups or 40 and 60 ounces. Chemically, urine is mainly a watery solution of salt and substances called urea and uric acid. Normally, it contains about 960 parts water…

urine Liquid waste produced by the kidneys.

urinary tract infection An infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra. Abbreviated UTI. Not everyone with a UTI has symptoms, but common symptoms include a frequent urge to urinate and pain or burning when urinating. More females than males have UTIs. Underlying conditions that physically obstruct and impair the normal urinary flow, such as…

urinary tract The organs of the body that produce, store, and discharge urine. These organs include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

urinary sphincter See urethral sphincter.

urinary incontinence The unintentional loss of urine due to loss of voluntary control over the urinary sphincters. One cause of urinary incontinence is overactive bladder, in which a sudden involuntary contraction of the muscular wall of the bladder results in urinary urgency, an immediate unstoppable need to urinate. See also bedwetting; enuresis; urethral sphincter.

urinary calculus A stone in the urinary tract. A urinary calculus may be a kidney stone or it may be lower down in the ureter, bladder, or urethra. See also kidney stones.

urinary Having to do with the function or anatomy of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. For example, the urinary tract is the collection of organs of the body that produce, store, and discharge urine.

urinalysis A test that is done in order to analyze urine. Because toxins and excess fluid are removed from the body in urine, analysis of urine can provide important health clues. Urinalysis can be used to detect certain diseases, such as diabetes, gout, and other metabolic disorders, as well as kidney disease. It can also…

uricaciduria The presence of excess uric acid in the urine, which may be a sign of gout or kidney stones.

uric acid A substance that is produced when proteins are metabolized. In gout, elevated levels of uric acid are commonly found in the blood (hyperuricemia). However, only a small portion of people with hyperuricemia actually develop gout. See also gout.