Health dictionary - U

Ulcer

A sore spot on your skin or mucous membrane, for instance, a mouth ulcer.

Ulna

One of the bones in your arm on the opposite side of your arm to the radius.

Ultrasound scan

This scan uses sound waves instead of x-rays to show your insides. It's very like the scan most women have when they're pregnant.

Ureter

This is a tube that leads from each kidney to your bladder. Once your kidneys have made urine, it flows down the ureter to your bladder.

Urethra

This is the tube inside the body that urine passes down from the bladder to outside of the body. In men the urethra runs inside the penis. In women it runs above the vagina.

Urine

The medical word for wee. It’s a mixture of water and other waste products and is produced by your kidneys.

Urinary system

This consists of your kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder. They all work together to get rid of the waste stuff from your body.

Urology

The study of your urinary system. Doctors who specialise in urology are called urologists.