Utricle - Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

utricle

(ū′tri-kĕl) [utriculus] 1. A small sac. 2. The larger of two sacs of the vestibular labyrinth in the vestibule of the inner ear. It communicates with the semicircular ducts, the saccule, and the endolymphatic duct, all of which are filled with endolymph. In its wall is the macula utriculi, a sensory area with hair cells that respond to movement of otoliths as the position of the head changes.

 prostatic u. A small blind pouch of the urethra extending into the substance of the prostate gland. It is a remnant of the embryonic müllerian duct. The ejaculatory duct opens into or at the opening of the prostatic utricle.

utricular

(ū-trik′yŭ-lăr) [utriculus] 1. Pert. to the utricle. 2. Like a bladder.

utriculitis

(ū-trik″yŭ-līt′ĭs) [utriculus + -itis] Inflammation of the utricle (either of the vestibule or of the prostate).

uva-ursi

(ū′vă-ŭr′sē) An evergreen perennial shrub (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) of the family Ericaceae, whose dried leaves are used as a urinary antiseptic and diuretic. There have been few clinical trials on its effectiveness. SYN: bearberry.

uvea

(ū′vē-ă) [L. uva, uvea, grape, bunch of grapes] The highly vascular middle layer of the eyeball, immediately beneath the sclera. It consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, and forms the pigmented layer. uveal (ū′vē-ăl), adj.

uveitic

(ū″vē-it′ik) [uvea + -itic] Pert. to uveitis.

uveitis

(ū″vē-īt′ĭs) [uvea + -itis] A nonspecific term for any intraocular inflammatory disorder. The uveal tract structures (iris, ciliary body, and choroid) are usually involved, but other nonuveal parts of the eye, including the retina and cornea, may be involved. SYN: vitritis.

 TREATMENT: Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents, including cyclosporine, are used in treating some causes of uveitis, but their use may make some types of uveitus worse.

 Short-acting cycloplegic agents such as hematropine, scopolamine, or cyclopentolate are used during therapy to prevent inflammatory adhesions (posterior synechiae) between the iris and lens.

 diffuse u. Panuveitis.

 endogenous u. Uveitis not associated with any infections, of known or unknown cause. It is thought to be due to an autoimmune phenomenon.

 intermediate u. Pars planitis.

 sympathetic u. Severe bilateral uveitis that starts as inflammation of the uveal tract of one eye resulting from a puncture wound. The injured eye is termed the exciting eye.

 TREATMENT: High-dose corticosteroids are often effective. SEE: exciting eye; sympathetic ophthalmia.

uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome

(ū″vē-īt′ĭs-glo-kō′mă-hī-fē′mă) ABBR: UGH. A rare complication of cataract surgery ...