Dictionary

typhus, urban, of Malaysia See typhus, murine.

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.

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…

U Uracil, one of the nucleotide bases in RNA.

UA Urinalysis.

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

UBT Urea breath test.

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.

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,…

ulcer, apthous See canker sore.

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

ulcer, esophageal An ulcer in the lining of the esophagus that is corroded by the acidic digestive juices secreted by the stomach cells. See also ulcer; ulcer, peptic.