Pediatric urology glossary
Is there a word you do not understand in an ultrasound report or test result? Here are plain explanations of the most common terms.
- Antibiotic prophylaxis
- A low dose of antibiotic once a day to prevent infection. Read more
- APD (anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis)
- The width of the renal pelvis measured on ultrasound. It is the main measure used to grade hydronephrosis. Read more
- Bacteriuria
- Bacteria in the urine. If there are no symptoms, it often needs no treatment. Read more
- Caliectasis
- Widening of the calyces. It is considered a more serious finding than widening of the renal pelvis. Read more
- Chordee
- Downward curvature of the penis, often together with hypospadias. Read more
- Cryptorchidism
- A testicle that has not descended into the scrotum. Read more
- Detrusor
- The muscle in the bladder wall. Its overactivity causes overactive bladder.
- Differential function
- The share of each kidney in total kidney function. Normally 45–55%. Read more
- DMSA
- A nuclear medicine scan that shows kidney scarring and function. Read more
- Duplex kidney
- A kidney divided into two separate collecting systems. Read more
- Enuresis
- Bedwetting: a child older than 5 cannot hold urine during sleep. Read more
- FEAPU
- Fellow of the European Academy of Paediatric Urology: the title given to pediatric urologists who have passed the European Board exam.
- Hematuria
- Blood in the urine: visible to the eye (gross) or found only on testing (microscopic). Read more
- Hydrocele
- A collection of fluid around the testicle. Read more
- Hydronephrosis
- Widening of the kidney's collecting system (the renal pelvis and calyces). Read more
- Hypospadias
- The urethral opening is on the underside of the penis, lower than normal. Read more
- Intermittent catheterization
- Emptying the bladder with a thin catheter several times a day. Read more
- Leukocyturia
- A high number of white blood cells in the urine. It is a sign of inflammation, but it does not always mean infection. Read more
- MAG3/DTPA
- A dynamic scan that measures urine drainage from the kidney and kidney function. Read more
- Meatus
- The outer opening of the urethra. Read more
- Megaureter
- Widening of the ureter to more than 7 mm. Read more
- Orchiopexy
- Surgery to bring an undescended testicle down into the scrotum and stitch it in place. Read more
- Parenchyma
- The kidney tissue that makes urine. Thinning of this tissue can point to long-standing pressure.
- Phimosis
- A foreskin that cannot be pulled back over the head of the penis. Read more
- Processus vaginalis
- A channel of the abdominal lining that forms as the testicle descends. If it stays open, it causes a hernia and hydrocele. Read more
- PUV (posterior urethral valves)
- A congenital membrane that narrows the urethra in boys. Read more
- Pyelectasis
- Widening of the renal pelvis. Often used to mean mild hydronephrosis. Read more
- Pyelonephritis
- A bacterial inflammation of the kidney, usually with high fever. Read more
- Residual urine
- Urine left in the bladder after urinating. A large amount makes infection more likely.
- Smegma
- A white, natural discharge that collects under the foreskin. It is harmless. Read more
- Torsion
- Twisting. Testicular torsion needs emergency surgery. Read more
- Ureter
- The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
- Ureterocele
- A cyst-like swelling at the end of the ureter where it opens into the bladder. Read more
- Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ)
- The point where the renal pelvis joins the ureter. A narrowing here is the most common surgical cause of hydronephrosis. Read more
- UTI (urinary tract infection)
- A bacterial inflammation of the urinary tract. The form with fever is a kidney infection. Read more
- Varicocele
- Widening of the veins in the scrotum. Read more
- VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram)
- Voiding cystourethrography: an X-ray test that shows reflux. Read more
- VUR (vesicoureteral reflux)
- Backward flow of urine from the bladder into the ureter and kidney. It is divided into grades I–V. Read more