Meaning & use

urology

noun·Academicmedical

Last updated

UK/jʊəˈrɒlədʒi/
US/jʊˈrɑːlədʒi/

Meanings

  1. noununcountablemedical

    The branch of medicine that deals with the urinary system and the male reproductive organs.

    Grammar: Uncountable, so it takes a singular verb: urology is a growing specialty.

    Patterns

    • a doctor of urology
    • the department of urology
    • study urology

    She trained in urology after finishing her surgical residency.

    The hospital opened a new urology unit last spring.

    Urology deals with problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections.

  2. noununcountablemedical

    The urinary and reproductive system as a medical area of the body.

    Grammar: Used in the names of hospital departments or services rather than for the organs themselves.

    Patterns

    • be referred to urology
    • the urology department

    My father was referred to urology for further tests.

    The urology clinic is on the third floor.

Common combinations

urology department
The urology department handles most urinary cases in the region.
a urology specialist
A urology specialist examined him the next morning.
train in urology
She decided to train in urology rather than general surgery.
refer someone to urology
The family doctor referred him to urology for a scan.

Word family

urologist noun
A doctor who treats urinary and male reproductive problems.
urological adjective
Relating to urology, as in a urological condition.

Commonly confused: urology or nephrology?

urology vs nephrology

Nephrology is the study of the kidneys specifically; urology covers the whole urinary tract and male reproductive system, and is also a surgical specialty.

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