Glossary

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E 

ECG (sometimes called an EKG) - an electrocardiogram, which is a record of the electrical impulses that trigger the heartbeat; used to diagnose heart disorders

Echocardiogram - an image of the heart that is created by high-frequency (ultrasound) sound waves

Eclampsia - a serious condition that occurs in late pregnancy, characterized by seizures in the woman

Ectopic - occurring at an abnormal position or time

Edema - abnormal buildup of fluid in the body, which may cause visible swelling

Elective - describes a treatment or procedure that is not urgent and can be arranged at the patient's convenience

Embolism - the blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus - something previously circulating in the blood (such as a blood clot, gas bubble, tissue, bacteria, bone marrow, cholesterol, fat, etc)

Embryo - a term used to describe a child in the womb from fertilization to 8 weeks following fertilization

Emetic - a substance that causes vomiting; used to treat some cases of poisoning and drug overdose

Endemic - describes a disease that is always present in a certain population of people

Endocarditis - inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually the heart valves; typically caused by an infection

Endocrine gland - a gland that secretes hormones into the bloodstream

Endogenous - arising from inside of the body

Endometrial polyp - a growth (usually noncancerous) occurring on the lining of the uterus

Endometriosis - a condition in which fragments of the endometrium are found in other pelvic organs

Endometrium - the membrane that lines the uterus

Endoscope - a lighted instrument used to view the inside of a body cavity

Endothelium - the layer of flat cells that lines the blood and lymph vessels, the heart, and other structures in the body

Enteritis - inflammation of the small intestine, usually causing diarrhea

Enuresis - the medical term for wetting the bed

Enzyme - a chemical, originating in a cell, that regulates reactions in the body

Epidemic - a term used to describe a disease that is rare then suddenly affects more people than usually expected

Epidermis - the outer layer of the skin

Epididymis - a long, coiled tube, exiting from the back of the testicle, in which sperm mature

Epidural anesthesia - a method of pain relief in which a painkilling drug is injected into the space surrounding the spinal cord to block sensations in the abdomen and lower body

Epilepsy - a disorder of the nervous system in which abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes seizures

Epinephrine - a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress, exercise, or fear; increases heart rate and opens airways to improve breathing; also called adrenaline

Episiotomy - a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the tissue between the vagina and anus to prevent tearing of this tissue during childbirth

Epithelium - the layer of cells that covers the body and lines many organs

Epstein-Barr virus - a virus that is the cause of mononucleosis and is involved in Burkitt's lymphoma

Erythema - redness of the skin

Erythrocyte - a red blood cell

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - a measure of the time it takes for red blood cells to collect at the bottom of a sample of blood; an elevated rate may mean that there is inflammation somewhere in the body

Esophagus - a tube-shaped canal in the digestive tract, connecting the throat to the stomach

Estrogen - a group of hormones (produced mainly in the ovaries) that are necessary for female sexual development and reproductive functioning

Estrogen replacement therapy - treatment with synthetic estrogen drugs to relieve symptoms of menopause and to help protect women against osteoporosis and heart disease

Excision - the surgical removal of diseased tissue

Excretion - the process by which the body rids itself of waste

Exogenous - arising from outside of the body

External version - external repositioning of the fetus in the womb to the correct birth position

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