Medical terms - Letter E (page 3) | MedicalVocabulary.org

EEG

Electroencephalogram, e technique for studying the electrical current within the brain. Electrodes are attached to the scalp. Wires attach these electrodes to a machine which records the electrical impulses. The results…
EFEMP1

A gene that encodes a protein with the long, complex name of EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1. EFEMP1 is now also known as FBLN3. See: FBLN3
Effacement

The thinning of the cervix which occurs before and while it dilates
Effect, founder

A population group with an unusual frequency of a gene due to there having been only a small number of original members ('founders') one or more of whom had that gene. For example, the gene for Huntington disease was…
Effective dose

The dose of a drug that will achieve the desired effect
Effects, fetal rubella

The constellation of abnormalities, also called the rubella syndrome, caused by infection with the rubella (German measles) A virus before birth. The syndrome is characterized by multiple congenital malformations (birth…
Efferent

Carrying away. An artery is an efferent vessel carrying blood away from the heart. An efferent nerve carries impulses away from the central nervous system. The opposite of efferent is afferent
Efferent nerve

A nerve that carries impulses away from the central nervous system (CNS). An efferent nerve is the opposite of an afferent nerves that carries impulses toward the CNS
Efferent vessel

A vessel carrying blood away from the heart. An artery or arteriole
Effusion

Too much fluid, an outpouring of fluid. A hemorrhagic effusion is one that has blood within the fluid. A pericardial effusion is an outpouring of fluid within the fibrous sac (the pericardium) that surrounds the heart…
Effusion, pericardial

See: Pericardial effusion
Effusion, pleural

See: Pleural effusion
EGD

Epidermal growth factor. A polypeptide (small protein) that is a powerful mitogen. (It stimulates cells to enter mitosis, cell division. ) EGF promotes cell growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and…
EGF

Epidermal growth factor. A polypeptide (small protein) that is a powerful mitogen. (It stimulates cells to enter mitosis, cell division. ) EGF promotes cell growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and…
EGFR

Epidermal growth factor receptor. A protein found on the surface of cells to which epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds. When EGF attaches to EGFR, it activates the enzyme tyrosine kinase, triggering reactions that cause…
Egg

Ovum (plural: ova).
Egg sac

The 'egg sac' or ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries have two…
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

See: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIIC

See: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type

Lers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type: A genetic disorder characterized by extremely fragile and sagging skin caused by mutation in the ADAMTS2 gene. People with this form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have soft…
Ehrlich, Paul

(1854-1915) Renowned German scientist and physician. Born near Breslau, Ehrlich got his start there working in the laboratory of his cousin, Carl Weigert, a pathologist who pioneered the use of aniline dyes as…
Ehrlichiosis

An acute (abrupt onset) disease, first reported in humans in 1986, due to infection by the rickettsial agent, Ehrlichia canis. The brown dog tick, is the common vector (carrier). Ehrlichiosis is clinically similar to…
Eicosanoid

A lipid mediator of inflammation derived from the 20-carbon atom arachidonic acid (20 in Greek is 'eicosa') or a similar fatty acid. The eicosanoids include the prostaglandins, prostacyclin, thromboxane, and leukotrienes
Eicosapentaenoic acid

One of the principal omega-3 fatty acids. Abbreviated EPA. The body has a limited ability to manufacture EPA by converting the essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in flaxseed oil, canola oil…
Eidetic

1. Marked by extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall, especially of images. 2. By extension, an individual with such exceptional powers. Eidetic memory is the ability to see in one's mind's eye in the most minute…
Eight-day measles

Measles: An acute highly contagious viral disease with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash. The eight-day measles is the ordinary measles, also known as rubeola, a potentially disastrous…
Eighth cranial nerve

The eighth cranial nerve is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for the sense of hearing and it is also pertinent to balance, to the body position sense. Problems with the…
Eileithyia

In Greek mythology, a protector of women who, with her mother Hera, was often called upon during childbirth
Eisoptrophobia

An abnormal and persistent fear of mirrors. Sufferers experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. Because their fear often is grounded in superstitions, they may worry that breaking a…
Ejaculate

To ejaculate is to release semen during an orgasm in a male. The ejaculate (used as a noun) is the semen.
Ejaculation

Ejection of sperm and seminal fluid
Ejaculatory duct

A canal in the male formed by union of the vas deferens and the duct from the seminal vesicle. The ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate. Semen passes through them at the time of ejaculation
Ejection fraction

The portion of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat. The heart does not eject all of the blood that is in the ventricle. Only about two-thirds of the blood is normally pumped out…
ELA2

The gene encoding the enzyme elastase 2 (neutrophilic elastase). Mutations in ELA2 cause cyclic neutropenia.See: Elastase 2.
Elastase

An enzyme that digests and degrades a number of proteins including elastin, an elastic substance in the lungs and some other organs that supports their structural framework. Elastase is specifically inhibited by alpha-1…
Elastase 1

Pancreatic elastase, a member of the pancreatic family of serine proteases. Although termed elastase, this powerful protease can hydrolyze numerous proteins, including elastin. The gene ELA1 that encodes elastase 1 is…
Elastase 2

Neutrophil elastase, an enzyme in neutrophils that digests elastin. The gene ELA2 encoding elastase 2 is on chromosome 19p13,3. Mutations in ELA2 cause cyclic neutropenia, a blood disease in which there are regular…
Elastase inhibitor

See: Antielastase
Elastic fiber

A slender fiber in connective tissue that is rich in the protein elastin and has an elastic quality
Elasticin

See: Elastin
Elastin

A protein that coil and recoils like a spring within the elastic fibers of connective tissue and accounts for the elasticity of structures such the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, intestines, tendons, and ligaments…
Elastin degrading enzyme

See: Elastase
Elavil

See: Amitriptyline
Elbow

The juncture of the long bones in the middle portion of the arm. The bone of the upper arm (humerus) meets both the ulna (the inner bone of the forearm) and radius (the outer bone of the forearm) to form a hinge joint…
Elbow bursitis

Elbow bursitis: At the tip of the elbow (the olecranon area), there is a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction with motion. This bursa is known as the olecranon bursa. Because…
Elbow bursitis, treatment of

If non-infectious, elbow bursitis treatment includes rest, ice, and medications for inflammation and pain. Infectious bursitis is treated with antibiotics, aspiration, and surgery
Elbow dislocation

See: Nursemaid's elbow
Elbow joint

Three long bones meet in the middle portion of the arm at the elbow joint. The bone of the upper arm (humerus) meets both the ulna (the inner bone of the forearm) and radius (the outer bone of the forearm) to form a…
Elbow pain

Elbow pain: Elbow pain is most often the result of tendinitis, which can affect the inner or outer elbow. Treatment includes ice, rest, and medication for inflammation. Elbow pain has many other causes including…
Elbow subluxation

See: Nursemaid's elbow