hydronephrosis

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hydronephrosis

A doctor points to an image showing hydronephrosis on a medical chart.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A medical condition characterized by the swelling of a kidney due to a buildup of urine: This occurs because urine cannot drain properly from the kidney to the bladder, typically due to a blockage in the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder).
Usage
  • As a medical diagnosis: The term is used to describe the specific pathological state of the kidney.
    • The ultrasound revealed hydronephrosis in the patient's left kidney.
    • Chronic hydronephrosis can lead to kidney damage if left untreated.
Advanced Usage
  • "Bilateral hydronephrosis": A condition where both kidneys are swollen due to urine accumulation, often indicating a more systemic obstruction.

    • The newborn was diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis, requiring immediate evaluation.
  • "Obstructive hydronephrosis": Specifies that the swelling is directly caused by a physical blockage.

    • The stone caused obstructive hydronephrosis, which was very painful.
Variants and Related Words
  • Hydronephrotic (adj): Describing something related to or affected by hydronephrosis.
    • The hydronephrotic kidney showed significant enlargement on the scan.
Synonyms
  • Kidney swelling (due to obstruction): A descriptive, non-technical synonym.
  • Pelvicaliectasis: A more specific medical term referring to the dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces, which is the hallmark of hydronephrosis.
Related Medical Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)
  • Ureteral obstruction: The common cause of hydronephrosis.
  • Nephrostomy: A surgical procedure often performed to relieve severe hydronephrosis by draining urine directly from the kidney.
Notes
  • Hydronephrosis is not an idiom or a phrase with figurative meaning. It is a precise clinical term used in urology and nephrology.
  • The condition itself is a sign of an underlying problem (like a kidney stone, tumor, or congenital defect) rather than a primary disease.
hydronephrosis

A doctor points to an image showing hydronephrosis on a medical chart.

Noun
  1. accumulation of urine in the kidney because of an obstruction in the ureter