Dictionary

ulcer, duodenal An ulcer in the lining of the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestine. See also ulcer; ulcer, peptic.

ulcer, apthous See canker sore.

ulcer A lesion that is eroding away the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers can have various causes, depending on their location. Ulcers on the skin are usually due to irritation, as in the case of bedsores, and may become inflamed and/or infected as they grow. Ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract were once attributed to stress,…

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase A liver enzyme that is essential to the disposal of bilirubin, the chemical that results from the normal breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells. An abnormality of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase results in a condition called Gilbert syndrome. See also Gilbert syndrome.

UBT Urea breath test.

UAL Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. See liposuction, ultrasonic-assisted.

UA Urinalysis.

U Uracil, one of the nucleotide bases in RNA.

tyrosinemia A genetic disorder that involves the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine and is characterized by abnormally high levels of tyrosine in blood (hypertyrosinemia) and urine (tyrosinuria). There are several forms of tyrosinemia. Tyrosinemia type I is due to deficiency of fumarylacetoacetase, the last enzyme in the tyrosine catabolism pathway (the biochemical reactions that…

typist’s cramp A dystonia that affects the muscles of the hand and sometimes the forearm and occurs only during handwriting. See also dystonia, focal.

typhus, urban, of Malaysia See typhus, murine.

typhus, tropical See typhus, scrub.