Amino acid
Nitrogen-containing parts of proteins used to build muscle and other body tissues.
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Bladder
The organ in the pelvis that stores urine produced by the kidneys until urination occurs.
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BUN
Blood Urea Nitrogen, a blood test that helps determine kidney function. Urea is a waste product of protein breakdown in the body.
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Calculi
Abnormal stone formation inside the body. Renal calculi is the medical term for kidney stones.
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Creatinine
An amino acid secreted by the kidney. A blood test, urine test, or both for creatinine helps to determine kidney function.
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CT scans
Computed Tomography, an x-ray enhanced by a computer to produce a two dimensional cross section image of the body's internal organs.
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Cystoscope
A fiberoptic instrument used to view the lining of the urethra and bladder. Urologists can pass instruments through the scope to carry out procedures inside the urethra and bladder.
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Diuretic
A type of drug that increases urine output and reduces fluid accumulation in the body.
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EKG (Electrocardiogram)
A graphic tracing of heartbeats used to help diagnose heart problems.
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Electrohydrolic
An electric spark in water to create a shockwave that can fracture a stone.
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Electrolyte
A solution of ions that is capable of conducting electricity. Measuring the levels of electrolytes such a sodium, chloride, potassium, and bicarbonate in the body can indicate whether the kidneys, heart, and other organs are functioning normally.
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Endourologic
A procedure that uses lighted scopes to see inside urinary organs, such as the bladder, ureters, and kidneys.
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ESWL
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. A procedure using concentrated shock waves, which are similar to sound waves, to break up kidney stones inside the body.
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Extracorporeal
A term meaning outside the body.
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Hyperparathyroidism
A condition marked by over production of the hormone parathormone by the parathyroid glands. These glands are located next to the thyroid gland in the neck. High levels of parathormone result in high blood levels of calcium that the kidneys must excrete. This condition can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
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Kidney
The organ that filters water and waste products from the blood and creates urine. Most people have two kidneys.
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Laser
A medical instrument that produces a powerful beam of light and can produce intense heat when focused at close range. Lasers are often used in surgery to vaporize tissue.
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Lithotripsy
See ESWL; breaking up kidneys stones with concentrated sound waves.
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Mechanical energy
Technique that crushes kidney stones.
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Metabolic evaluation
A series of tests and assessments used to determine if a patient has any metabolic diseases or disorders that can cause kidney stones. Examples of metabolic diseases are hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, and hyperoxaluria.
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Metabolism
All the chemical processes that create living matter from food and also produce waste products from the breakdown of food and living matter.
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Nephrostolithotomy (Percutaneous Stone Removal)
A procedure used to remove kidney stones by making a small incision through the back and passing a scope into the kidney to visualize the stone. Then it can be broken up and removed. This therapy is appropriate for many larger stones in the kidney and upper ureter because they can be removed in less time.
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Nephrostomy
The insertion of a tube through the skin into the kidney, mainly to provide urine drainage where the ureter is not functional or to remove or dissolve kidney stones.
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Nephrolithotomy
A term meaning to remove a stone from the kidney; generally refers to open surgical removal.
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Noninvasive
Any procedure that does not cut or puncture the body.
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Oxalate
A salt of oxalic acid found in kidney stones of patients suffering from hyperoxaluria, a genetic disease that causes deposits of calcium oxalates in the urinary organs.
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Percutaneous
A term meaning through the skin.
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pH
A term used to indicate whether a solution is the neutal, acid, or alkaline (basic). A pH of 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline.
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Phosphate
A salt of phosphorus found in such foods as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and soft drinks. Reduction of phosphate intake may be necessary to help reduce kidney stone formation.
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Renal
A term meaning having to do with the kidney.
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Stent
A hollow plastic tube into the urinary tract prior to lithotripsy. This tube is called a J-J stent. One end of the stent coils up in the kidney, and the other coils up in the urinary bladder.
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Stone basket
A procedure where a scope is passed through the urethra and up into the ureter or kidney. The stone is then visualized and removed with a cage-like device called a basket.
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Ultrasound
A test that uses high frequency sound waves to visualize organs.
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Ureter
The tube that leads from a kidney to the bladder. Each kidney has at least one ureter.
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Ureteral
Term meaning having to do with the ureter.
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Ureterscope
The lighted scope used to see inside the ureter.
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Ureteroscopy
A procedure using a ureterscope. A ureterscope is passed through the urethra and up into the ureter or kidney. It is sometimes used to visualize and remove stones with a cage-like device called a basket (see Stone basket) or the stones can be broken up with lasers into multiple small pieces that can easily pass out the urinary tract.
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Urethra
The tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body.
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