Medical terms - Letter E (page 9) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex

A blistering skin condition usually inherited as an autosomal dominant disease. The faulty genes are those that provide instructions for producing keratin, a fibrous protein in the top layer of skin. As a result, the…
Epididymis

A structure within the scrotum attached to the backside of the testis. The epididymis is a coiled segment of the spermatic ducts that serves to store, mature and transport spermatozoa between the testis and the vas (the…
Epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis, a structure within the scrotum attached to the backside of the testis. The epididymis is a coiled segment of the spermatic ducts that serves to store, mature and transport spermatozoa…
Epidural

Outside the dura, the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood beneath the skull but outside the dura
Epidural anesthetic

An anesthetic agent injected into the epidural space, the space outside the dura -- the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the spinal cord -- in order to bath the spinal…
Epidural hematoma

A hematoma between the cranium (skull) and the brain's tissue-like covering, which is known as the dura. Epidural hematoma is usually caused by a full-on blow to the head, and is often associated with a skull fracture…
Epigastrium

The part of the abdominal wall above the umbilicus (belly button). The hypogastrium is the part of the abdominal wall below the umbilicus. The abdominal wall can thus be divided into upper and lower halves. Or it can be…
Epigenetic

Something that affects a cell, organ or individual without directly affecting its DNA. An epigenetic change may indirectly influence the expression of the genome. See also: Epigenetics. From epi- meaning, in this…
Epigenetics

1. The study of heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in the sequence of the DNA. For example: > >The process of DNA methylation; and >The process of chromatin remodeling. 2. The study of…
Epiglottis

The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs. Not everything in medicine is perfectly logical. The name epiglottis was compounded from 'epi-' and '- glottis' from the Greek…
Epiglottitis, acute

A very rapidly progressive infection causing inflammation of the epiglottis (the flap that covers the trachea) and tissues around the epiglottis that may lead to abrupt blockage of the upper airway and death. The…
Epilation

Removal of body hair, including the hair root, by means of electrical device, tweezer, or wax. Epilation may be performed by a dermatologist, but is more commonly done for cosmetic purposes by a facial technologist or…
Epilepsy

(seizure disorder): When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times higher than normal, this causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. A pattern of repeated…
Epilepsy, grand mal

See: Grand mal
Epilepsy, Jacksonian

Epilepsy, Jacksonian:A brief alteration in movement, sensation or nerve function caused by abnormal electrical activity in a localized area of the brain. Seizures of this type typically cause no change in awareness or…
Epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic

A form of epilepsy that occurs between the ages of eight and 26, most commonly in the teenage years. It is characterized by jerking (myoclonic) movements of the arms and upper torso, without loss of consciousness…
Epilepsy, partial

A seizure that affects only one part of the brain. Symptoms will depend on which part is affected: one part of the body, or multiple body parts confined to one side of the body, may start to twitch uncontrollably…
Epilepsy, petit mal

See: Petit mal
Epilepsy, temporal lobe

See: Epilepsy, temporal-lobe
Epilepsy, temporal-lobe

Epilepsy that is characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the temporal lobe of the brain. This activity does not cause grand mal seizures; rather, it causes unusual behaviors and patterns of cognition. Temporal…
Epinephrine

A substance produced by the medulla (inside) of the adrenal gland. The name epinephrine was coined in 1898 by the American pharmacologist and physiologic chemist (biochemist) John Jacob Abel who isolated it from the…
Epiphenomenon

1. An additional symptom or condition that appears during the course of a disease. A doctor might ask if you have noticed any epiphenomena recently as a way of inquiring as to whether you have experienced additional…
Epiphysis

The growth area near the end of a bone.
Epiretinal membrane

A thin membrane that covers the sclera (the white of the eye). "Epi-" is a prefix from the Greek that means "on, upon, at, by, near, over, on top of, toward, against, among." Episclera = on top of the sclera.
Episclera

A thin membrane that covers the sclera (the white of the eye). 'Epi-' is a prefix from the Greek that means 'on, upon, at, by, near, over, on top of, toward, against, among.' Episclera = on top of the sclera.
Episcleritis

Inflammation of the episclera, a thin membrane that covers the sclera (the white of the eye). Episcleritis is typically benign, easily treated with topical antiinflammatory drops, and usually soon resolved
Episiotomy

Episiotomy: A surgical procedure for widening the outlet of the birth canal to facilitate delivery of the baby and to avoid a jagged rip of the perineum (the area between the anus and the vulva, the opening to the…
Epispadias

Congenital (at birth) malformation in which the opening of the urethra (from whence comes the urinary stream) is on the dorsum (topside) of the penis. Hypospadias is the corresponding malformation in which the opening…
Epistaxis

Medical term for nosebleed. The nose is a part of the body that is very rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position on the face. As a result, any trauma to the face can cause bleeding which…
Epistaxis, treatment of

To stop epistaxis (a nosebleed), you should: 1. Pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and index finger. 2. Press firmly toward the face - compressing the pinched parts of the nose against the…
Epistemic

Cognitive. Pertaining to cognition, the process of knowing and, more precisely, the process of being aware, knowing, thinking, learning and judging. From the Greek words episteme (knowledge) and epistanai (to know or…
Epithelial

Relating to the epithelium, the outside layer of cells that covers all the free, open surfaces of the body including the skin, and mucous membranes that communicate with the outside of the body
Epithelial basement corneal dystrophy

A disorder in which the cornea (the normally clear front window of the eye) shows grayish fingerprint lines, geographic map-like lines, and dots (or microcysts) on examination with a slit-lamp that focuses a high…
Epithelial carcinoma

Cancer that begins in the cells that line an organ.
Epithelium

The outside layer of cells that covers all the free, open surfaces of the body including the skin, and mucous membranes that communicate with the outside of the body. By contrast the endothelium is the layer of cells…
Epitope

A single antigenic site on a protein against which an antibody reacts
Epizootic

An epidemic outbreak of disease in an animal population, often with the implication that it may extend to humans. For example, Rift Valley fever (RVF) primarily affects livestock and can cause disease in a large number…
EPO (erythropoietin)

Erythropoietin): A hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. EPO is a glycoprotein (a protein with a sugar attached to it). Human EPO has a molecular weight of…
EPO test

A test of the hormone EPO (erythropoietin) in blood. The EPO level can indicate bone marrow disorders, kidney disease, or EPO abuse. Testing EPO blood levels is of value if: > >Too little EPO might be responsible for…
Eponym

Something named after someone. For example, a condition called Shiel's syndrome might be named after someone named Shiel who discovered it or described and clearly delineated it
EPR

Abbreviation for Electrophrenic respiration. Also known as diaphragm pacing. See: Diaphragm pacing
EPS

Stands for ElectroPhysiologic Study, a test of the electrical conduction system of the heart (the system that generates the heart beat). EPS is done by threading thin plastic tubes (catheters) into a vein where the leg…
Epsom salt

Magnesium sulfate. Known as Epsom salt because it was originally extracted from the mineral-rich water of Epsom (England)
Epstein-Barr virus

A virus, abbreviated EBV, best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis ('mono'). Infection with EBV is characterized by fatigue and general malaise. Infection with EBV is fairly common and is usually a transient…
EPT

Estrogen/progestin therapy
Equinophobia

An abnormal and persistent fear of horses. Sufferers of equinophobia experience undue anxiety even when a horse is known to be gentle and well trained. They usually avoid horses entirely rather than risk being kicked…
Equol

A substance produced in the intestine as a metabolite of soybeans and soy foods. Equol is a non-steroidal estrogen that acts as an anti-androgen by blocking the hormone dihydrotestosterone. Some people are able to…
ER

1. Emergency room. 2. Endoplasmic reticulum. 3. Estrogen receptor. 4. Extended release.
Erb palsy

A form of brachial plexus palsy in which there is paralysis of the muscles of the upper arm and shoulder girdle due to an injury to the roots of fifth and sixth cervical roots or the upper part of the brachial plexus, a…
Erb paralysis

See: Erb palsy