<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-06-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000798783</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNIVERSAL HEALTH REALTY INCOME TRUST</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UHT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181000</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SUSSMAN ELLIOT J MD MBA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL &amp; HEALTH NETWORK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>CEDAR CREST BLVD. &amp; INTERSTATE 78</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ALLENTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Trustee</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Shares Of Beneficial Interest</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-06-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>250</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These restricted shares of beneficial interest were granted pursuant to the Universal Health Realty Income Trust 2007 Restricted Stock Plan and shall vest on the second anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles F. Boyle, Attorney-in-Fact for Mr. Sussman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-06-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
