Glossary of Medical Terms
Satellite Haemodialysis Unit = a unit that is located away from the main hospital renal unit.
Semi-permeable = describes a membrane that will allow some but not all substances to pass through it.
Tenckhoff Catheter = a tube (capped off when not in use) which allows dialysis fluid to be put into and removed from the peritoneal cavity.
Tissue Type = a set of inherited characteristics that are present on the surface of tissue cells.Toxins (poisons) – one of the main functions of your kidneys is to remove toxins from your blood (a process known as clearance).
Transplant = an operation in which a new organ (such as a kidney) is given to the recipient.
Type 2 Diabetes = The more common type of diabetes melitus. You do not make enough insulin for your body's needs; or the cells in your body do not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. The cells in your body become resistant to normal levels of insulin. This means that you need more insulin than you normally make to keep the blood sugar (glucose) level down; or a combination of the above two reasons.
Ultrafiltration = the removal of excess water from the blood.
Ultrasound scan = this is a procedure that creates an image of an organ in, or other part of, the body using sound waves.
Under-dialysis = not having enough dialysis.
Urea = a substance made by your liver. It is one of the waste products from food that builds up in your blood if you have kidney disease. The higher the urea level, the worse the kidney disease.
Ureters = the tubes that take urine from your kidneys to your bladder.
Urethra = the body’s tube that takes urine from your bladder out of your body.
Urine = the liquid produced by your kidneys, consisting of the toxic waste products of food and the excess water from your blood.
Veins = blood vessels which carry blood from your body back to your heart.
Vitamin D = a chemical that helps your body to absorb calcium from your diet. If you have kidney disease, the level of vitamin D in your blood is usually low.
