Medical terms - Letter E (page 2) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Echinococcus

A tiny parasitic tapeworm. The larval stage of this tapeworm can cause human disease. There are three forms of Echinococcus that affect humans -- E. (Echinococcus) granulosus, E. multilocularis, and E. vogeli -- and…
Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a diagnostic test which uses ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures. It can measure cardiac output and is a sensitive test for inflammation around…
Echocardiography, stress

Stress: A supplement to the routine exercise cardiac stress test. During stress echocardiography, the sound waves of ultrasound are used to produce images of the heart at rest and at the peak of exercise. In a heart…
Echocardiography, transesophageal

A diagnostic test which is done through the esophagus and which employs ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may be used, for…
Echolalia

The involuntary parrotlike repetition (echoing) of a word or phrase just spoken by another person. Echolalia is a feature of schizophrenia (especially the catatonic form), Tourette syndrome, and some other disorders…
Echopraxia

The involuntary imitation of the movements of another person. Echopraxia is a feature of schizophrenia (especially the catatonic form), Tourette syndrome, and some other neurologic diseases. From echo + the Greek praxia…
Echovirus

A group of viruses found in the gastrointestinal tract. The 'echo' part of the name stands for enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses. 'Orphan' implied that they were viruses not associated with any disease. However…
Eclampsia

Convulsions (seizures) occurring with pregnancy-associated high blood pressure and having no other cause
Eclosion

The emergence of an adult insect from its pupal case, or the hatching of an insect larva from an egg. From the French eclosion, from eclore, to open
ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECochG

Electrocochleography
ECoG

Electrocochleography
Ecogenetics

The interaction of genetics with the environment. The genetic disease PKU (phenylketonuria) provides an illustration of ecogenetics. Persons with PKU lack an enzyme to process an amino acid (phenylalanine) and so…
Economy class syndrome

The formation of blood clots in veins deep within the legs -- deep vein thrombosis -- occurring during (or just after) a long airplane flight, especially in economy class (tourist class) where there is the least space…
ECST

ECST stands for the exercise cardiac stress test, the most widely used cardiac (heart) screening test. In an ECST the patient exercises on a treadmill according to a standardized protocol, with progressive increases in…
Ecstasy

1. A state of rapture and trancelike elation.2. A street name for 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also called 'Adam,' 'ecstasy,' or 'XTC' on the street, a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with…
Ecstatic

Pertaining to ecstasy, a state of rapture and trancelike elation
ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy
Ectoderm

One of the three primary germ cell layers (the other two being the mesoderm and endoderm) that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers. It differentiates to give rise to many…
Ectodermal

Pertaining to the ectoderm or to tissues derived from the ectoderm, one of the three primary germ cell layers that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers
Ectodermal dysplasia

A genetic disorder in which there is abnormal development of the skin and associated structures (the hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands). The most dangerous problem occurs in cases with decreased sweating due to…
Ectodermosis erosiva pluriorificialis

See: Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Ectomy

A surgical suffix referring to the removal of something. For example, a lumpectomy is the surgical excision of a lump which may be benign or not, tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils, a partial colectomy is…
Ectoparasite

A parasite that lives on or in the skin but not within the body. Fleas and lice are ectoparasites. Infestation with an ectoparasite is called an ectoparasitosis
Ectoparasitosis

Infestation with an ectoparasite, a parasite that lives on or in the skin. The four major ectoparasitoses are pediculosis, scabies, cutaneous larva migrans and tungiasis (sand-flea disease)
Ectopia cordis

A type of birth defect in the heart is abnormally located. In ectopia cordis, the heart usually protrudes outside the chest
Ectopic

In the wrong place. Out of place. An ectopic kidney, for example, is one that is not in the usual location. The term 'ectopic' comes from the Greek 'ektopis' meaning 'displacement' ('ek', out of + 'topos', place = out…
Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that is not in the uterus. The fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The large majority (95%) of ectopic pregnancies occur in the…
Ectrodactyly

>transverse terminal aphalangia (absence of the last bone in the finger or toe), >adactylia (total absence of a finger or toes), or >acheiria (total absence of one or both hands). Cases of ectrodactyly defined in this…
Ectromelia virus

A member of the poxvirus family which is a highly virulent natural pathogen of mice that causes mousepox, a severe disease with high mortality rate in mice but does not infect humans. The complete genome sequence of…
Eczema

Eczema: A particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin in which there are typically vesicles (tiny blister-like raised areas) in the first stage followed by erythema (reddening), edema (swelling), papules…
Eczema vaccinatum

A common concern with smallpox vaccination involving the implantation of the vaccinia virus from the vaccination into the skin of a person with eczema (atopic dermatitis), sometimes with a fatal outcome. Disrupted skin…
Eczema, allergic contact

Also called allergic contact dermatitis, this is a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain…
Eczema, contact

A localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent or another…
Eczema, dyshidrotic

Irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the feet characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn
Eczema, nummular

Coin-shaped patches of irritated skin-most common on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy. The word 'nummular' is taken from the Latin 'nummus,' a small coin.
Eczema, seborrheic

Yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, and occasionally other parts of the body
Ed Lewis

Estimated date of confinement, the estimated calendar date when the baby will be born.
EDC

Estimated date of confinement, the estimated calendar date when the baby will be born
Edema

Edema: The swelling of soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. Edema is often more prominent in the lower legs and feet toward the end of the day as a result of pooling of fluid from the upright position…
Edema, hereditary angioneurotic

Edema, hereditary angioneurotic: A genetic form of angioedema. (Angioedema is also referred to as Quinke's disease.) Persons with it are born lacking an inhibitor protein (called C1 esterase inhibitor) that normally…
Edema, lymphatic

See: Lymphedema>
Edentulism

Without teeth. Complete loss of all natural teeth can substantially reduce quality of life, self-image, and daily functioning
Edentulous

Being without teeth. Complete loss of all natural teeth can substantially reduce quality of life, self-image, and daily functioning
EDMD

Muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss
EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness)

A neurological disorder marked by a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Also known as narcolepsy. It is often associated with cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone and paralysis of voluntary muscles…
Edward B. Lewis

See: Lewis, Edward B
Edwards syndrome

Trisomy 18 syndrome. Children with the syndrome have an extra chromosome 18 with a characteristic pattern of multiple malformations and mental retardation. Features include low birth weight, small head (microcephaly)…
EECP

See: Enhanced external counterpulsation
EEE

Eastern equine encephalitis