Medical terms - Letter E (page 12) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Euphoria

Elevated mood. Euphoria is a desirable and natural occurrence when it results from happy or exciting events. An excessive degree of euphoria that is not linked to events is characteristic of hypomania or mania, abnormal…
Euploid

The normal number of chromosomes for a species. In humans, the euploid number of chromosomes is 46 with the notable exception of the unfertilized egg and sperm in which it is 23.
European typhus

See: Typhus, epidemic
EUS

Endoscopic ultrasound
Eustachian tube

The tube that runs from the middle ear to the pharynx. The function of the Eustachian tube is to protect, aerate and drain the middle ear (and mastoid). Occlusion of the Eustachian tube leads to the development of…
Euthanasia

The word 'euthanasia' comes straight out of the Greek -- 'eu', goodly or well + 'thanatos', death = the good death -- and for 18th-century writers in England that was what euthanasia meant, a 'good' death, a welcome way…
Euthanasia, active

The active acceleration of a 'good' death by use of drugs etc, whether by oneself or with the aid of a doctor. The word 'euthanasia' comes from the Greek -- 'eu', goodly or well + 'thanatos', death = the good death --…
Euthyroid

The state of having normal thyroid gland function. As opposed to hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroid (underactive thyroid)
Evacuation supplies kit

Endovascular aneurysm repair. A procedure to repair an aneurysm of the aorta. In EVAR a stent is placed in the aneurysmal area of the aorta. The procedure is similar to the placement of a stent in a coronary artery…
EVAR

Endovascular aneurysm repair. A procedure to repair an aneurysm of the aorta. In EVAR a stent is placed in the aneurysmal area of the aorta. The procedure is similar to the placement of a stent in a coronary artery…
Evening primrose oil

A natural source of essential fatty acids (EFOs). Evening primrose oil contains a higher level of arachnoidic acid than some other EFO sources, so people with seizure disorders may wish to avoid its use
Event

A set of outcomes. Cardiovascular events might include a heart attack and gastrointestinal events a GI bleed. The use of the term 'event' in medicine comes from probability theory
Event, adverse

See: Adverse event
Evert

To turn outward or turn inside out. To evert the foot is to move its forepart away from the midline of the body. To evert a hollow organ is to turn it inside out. From the Latin evertere, from e- + vertere, to turn.
Evertor

A muscle that turns a part toward the outside. To evert is to turn outward or turn inside out. From the Latin evertere, from e- + vertere, to turn
Evidence based medicine

See: Evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine

The judicious use of the best current evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is mean to integrate clinical expertise with the best available research…
Evolution

The continuing process of change, especially in reference to natural selection. Charles Darwin (1809-82) noted that successful species produce more offspring in each generation than are needed to replace the adults who…
Evolution, biologic

Biologic evolution was contrasted with cultural (social) evolution in 1968 by A.G. Motulsky who pointed out that biologic evolution is mediated by genes, shows a slow rate of change, employs random variation (mutations)…
Evolutionarily conserved gene

A gene that has remained essentially unchanged throughout evolution. Conservation of a gene indicates that it is unique and essential. There is not an extra copy of that gene with which evolution can tinker. And changes…
Evolutionarily conserved sequence

A base sequence in a DNA molecule (or an amino acid sequence in a protein) that has remained largely unchanged throughout evolution
Ewing sarcoma

Sarcoma: A type of bone tumor that occurs in children and adolescents, most often in the large bones of the arms and legs and the flat bones of the pelvis, spine and ribs. The tumor is caused by a chromosome…
Exacerbate

To make worse. For example, smoking may exacerbate systemic lupus erythematosus
Exacerbation

A worsening. In medicine, exacerbation may refer to an increase in the severity of a disease or its signs and symptoms. For example, exacerbation of asthma is one of the serious effects of air pollution.
Exaggerated startle disease

A genetic disorder also known as hyperexplexia in which babies have an exaggerated startle reflex (reaction). This disorder was not recognized until 1962 when it was described by Drs. Kok and Bruyn as a disease with the…
Examination, digital rectal (DRE)

An exam done to detect abnormalities that can be felt (palpated) from within the rectum. The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels for anything that is not normal. The digital rectal exam…
Examination, postmortem

An autopsy. Also called a necropsy. Postmortem examinations have been done for more than 2,000 years but during most of this time they were rarely done, and then only for legal purposes. The Roman physician Antistius…
Exanthem

A rash. The word 'exanthem' comes from the Greek 'exanthema' which means 'a breaking out.' 'Anthos' in Greek is 'a flower,' particularly a flower blossom, so a child breaking out with an rash is likened to a flower…
Exanthem subitum

Means a sudden rash. A viral disease of infants and young children with sudden onset of high fever which lasts several days and then suddenly subsides leaving in its wake a fine red rash. The causative agent is…
Excess iron

Iron overload can damage the heart, liver, gonads and other organs. Iron overload is a particular risk for: > >People with certain genetic conditions such as hemochromatosis; and >People receiving repeated blood…
Excess selenium

Too much selenium (selenosis) which may cause reversible balding and brittle nails, give a garlic odor to the breath, and cause intestinal distress, weakness and slowed mental functioning. People who chronically consume…
Excess, calcium

See: Calcium excess
Excessive daytime sleepiness

A neurological disorder in which there is a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness is also known as narcolepsy. The condition is often associated with: > >Cataplexy -- a sudden…
Exchange, gas

The primary function of the lungs involving the transfer of oxygen from inhaled air into the blood and the transfer of carbon dioxide from the blood into the exhaled air
Excimer laser

A laser that emits very concentrated light in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the spectrum. Excimer lasers are used, for example, in: > >Ophthalmology -- to vaporize part of the surface layer of the cornea and thus…
Excise

To cut out. A laser beam may be used to excise a tumor, much as a scalpel does. The terms excise and resect are not synonymous. Excise implies total removal whereas resect does not.
Excision

1. Surgical removal, as in the excision of a tumor. 2. The removal as if by surgery, as in base excision repair. From the Greek ektome meaning excision.
Excisional

Pertaining to the act of excision, of removal by surgery. An excisional biopsy is one in which the lesion is removed by the biopsy. From the Greek ektome meaning excision
Excisional biopsy

A biopsy in which an entire biopsy in which an entire lesion, is removed. A excisional biopsy is in contrast to an incisional biopsy in which only a sample of tissue is cut into (incised) and removed
Exclamation point hair

Exclamation point hair is a key diagnostic finding in a disorder called alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is patchy baldness (alopecia means baldness and areata means occurring in patches) which typically begins with…
Excrescence

An oral antiestrogen. Exemestane inhibits the enzyme aromatase in the adrenal glands that produces the estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and thereby lowers their levels. Brand name: Aromasin.
Exemestane

An oral antiestrogen. Exemestane inhibits the enzyme aromatase in the adrenal glands that produces the estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and thereby lowers their levels. Brand name: Aromasin. See also: Aromatase…
Exercise cardiac stress testing

The most widely used cardiac (heart) screening test. The patient exercises on a treadmill according to a standardized protocol, with progressive increases in the speed and elevation of the treadmill (typically changing…
Exercise test

A test (sometimes called the treadmill test or exercise treadmill test) in which a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) recording of the heart is made as the patient performs increasing levels of exercise on the…
Exercise treadmill

Exercise on a treadmill, a machine with a moving strip on which one walks without moving forward. A treadmill was originally a wide wheel turned by the weight of people climbing on steps around its edge, used in the…
Exercise treadmill test

A test (sometimes simply called a treadmill test or exercise test) in which a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) recording of the heart is made as the patient performs increasing levels of exercise on the…
Exercise, aerobic

Brisk physical activity requiring the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the body's increased oxygen demand. Aerobic exercise promotes the circulation of oxygen through the blood. Examples of aerobic exercise…
Exercise, isometric

Exercise involving muscular contractions without movement of the involved parts of the body. Isometric exercise is one method of muscular exercise. In contrast, isotonic exercise occurs when a contracting muscle…
Exercise, isotonic

Exercise when a contracting muscle shortens against a constant load, as when lifting a weight. Isometric exercise is one method of muscular exercise. In contrast, isotonic exercise is when muscular contractions occur…
Exercise, passive

Movement of the body, usually of the limbs, without effort by the patient. The patient is passive