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ureteral vs. urethral - Urology Novice

Posted: Feb 20, 2012

Does anyone have any tips for distinguishing between ureteral and urethral? This doctor I have mumbles so it's impossible to tell which one he is saying ... and sometimes I think he interchanges them, so maybe he doesn't even know?

Example: "We turned our attention to the right ureteral/urethral orifice, out of which the previously placed ureteral/urethral stent was exiting. A flexible alligator grasper was used to pull the ureteral/urethral stent out through the ureteral/urethral meatus."

I *think* he's saying ureteral on all of those, but I'm not sure (1) if he is or (2) if that's the correct usage.

Any help would be great!

My guess is - OldMT

[ In Reply To ..]
"We turned our attention to the right URETHRAL orifice, out of which the previously placed URETERAL stent was exiting. A flexible alligator grasper was used to pull the URETERAL stent out through the URETHRAL meatus."

Any other suggestions?

ureteral...ureteral...ureteral and urethral..... - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

nm, you are correct - OldMT

[ In Reply To ..]
In reviewing my statement, I agree with nm. Right URETHRAL should be right URETERAL, and the rest are okay.

Ureteral - Ayn

[ In Reply To ..]
Well, since there is only 1 urethra but 2 ureters, I would go with ureteral because he is specifying a right side (suggesting there is also a left).

The last one is tricky, but if he has just pulled the ureteral stent out initially it will come through the ureteral meatus and then the uretheral meatus next to exit the body...

Thanks OldMT, Ayn, and nm! - Urology Novice

[ In Reply To ..]
That helps a lot! Still don't fully understand the two, but knowing to listen for one versus two helps! :)

maybe this will help.... - see inside

[ In Reply To ..]
if they are talking about a stent it is usually a ureteral stent draining to one and/or both of the kidneys....if they are talking about a catheter it is usually to drain the bladder through the urethra...

One urethra, two ureters - Coder now, MT before

[ In Reply To ..]
They often pronounce them much the same, but you have to know the anatomy. An understanding of what the procedure entails helps, too. If you know that, most of the time it does not matter what it sounds like.

In your example they are all ureters except for the last, which is probably the urethra because it is urethral meatus, especially if the stent ended up outside the body.

There is one urethra and two ureters. The scope enters the bladder through the urethra. After that, if it is right or left, or they are entering it, it has to be the ureter.

The key is knowing the anatomy. Get a picture of the urinary tract and follow along until you understand what you are hearing.

Not to criticize you, but this is a good example of the difference in anatomic knowlege required for coding as opposed to MT. MTs tend to focus on recognition level knowledge of anatomy. Coders need to know more. If you go into coding, don't be too hasty in trying to get out of taking anatomy.

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