Glossary
Kidney: Specialized organ that filters blood and converts the waste materials into urine, found in the abdominal cavity of mammals, birds and reptiles.Urinary bladder: An organ that is connected to the kidneys and collects the urine filtered by the kidneys, and excretes the urine once it is full.
Ureter: A tube or duct through which the urine passes from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra: A tube or duct through which the urine is voided from the bladder towards outside the body.
Urostomy stoma: An artificial opening created on the abdominal wall that connects to the ureters and kidney, to void urine. Also called Ureterostomy stoma.
Cutaneous: Pertaining or relating to the skin.
Catheter: A thin tube used as a medical device to be inserted in the body to provide access to the internal structures. Catheters are used for surgical purposes to push in minute surgical instruments, camera, etc. Urinary catheter is one such tube which is inserted into the urethra to allow urine to flow out of the body.
Urinary catheterization: A silicon tube called the urinary catheter is inserted into a patient's bladder via the urethra, allowing the patient's urine to drain freely from the bladder. The urine is collected in an external bag.
Urinary diversion: A surgical procedure that provides a new route for urine to flow out of the body.
Stoma: An opening that is surgically created to connect a portion of the body cavity to the outside environment.
Urinary incontinence: Loss of bladder control, resulting in leaking of urine. The severity may range from occasional leaking of urine during coughing, laughing or sneezing to uncontrollable wetting.
