E Glossary

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echocardiography - A computer procedure that studies or evaluates the heart's function by using soundwaves recorded on an electronic sensor that produces a moving picture of the heart and heart valves.

eclampsia - A serious, life-threatening condition in late pregnancy in which very high blood pressure can cause a woman to have seizures.

ectopic pregnancy - Pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

eczema - Inflammation of the skin, usually causing itching and sometimes accompanied by crusting, scaling, or blisters.

edema - Swelling.

ejection fraction - The measurement of the blood pumped out of the ventricles.

electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.

electrocoagulation - A procedure that uses an electrical current passed through an endoscope to stop bleeding in the digestive tract and to remove affected tissue.

electrolytes - Chemicals such as salts and minerals needed for various functions in the body.

electronystagmography - A neurologic test which measures fine motor movements of the eye muscles, used to confirm the presence of nystagmus.

electrophysiological - Pertaining to electrical results produced through physiological agencies, or by change of action in a living organism.

electrophysiological study (EPS) - A cardiac catheterization to study electrical current in patients who have arrhythmias.

electrophysiology - That branch of physiology which treats of electric phenomena produced through physiological agencies.

embolus - "Wandering" blood clot.

emergency - Sudden occurrence demanding immediate remedy. Symptoms that would constitute a medical emergency include:

1. Difficulty breathing. Changes in skin color.
2. Chest pain, radiating from the breast bone or high in the abdomen to the jaw, neck, shoulder blade(s) or arms. Impending feelings of "doom".
3. Mental status changes or loss of consciousness. Abrupt onset of a severe headache accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting, or feelings of drowsiness.
4. Fever over 105 any age. Fever over 100.4 in children less than 3 months of age.
5. Bleeding continues after 10 minutes of direct pressure.

EMG (electromyogram) - a test to evaluate nerve and muscle function.

encephalitis - A viral infection of the brain.

encopresis - Accidental passage of a bowel movement. A common disorder in children.

endarterectomy - The surgical removal of plaque or blood clots in an artery.

endocarditis - A bacterial infection of the heart lining.

endocardium - The membrane that covers the inside surface of the heart.

endometrial hyperplasia - Abnormal thickening of the endometrium caused by excessive cell growth.

endometrial implants - Fragments of endometrium that relocate outside of the uterus, such as in the muscular wall of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, or intestine, and bleed monthly just as endometrium does in the uterus.

endometriosis - Condition in which tissue resembling that of the endometrium grows outside the uterus, on or near the ovaries or fallopian tubes, or in other areas of the pelvic cavity.

endometrium - Mucous membrane lining of the inner surface of the uterus that grows during each menstrual cycle and is shed in menstrual blood.

endoscope - A small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end. It is used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body. Colonoscopes and sigmoidoscopes are types of endoscopes.

endoscopic papillotomy - See endoscopic sphincterotomy.

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - A test using an x-ray to look into the bile and pancreatic ducts. The doctor inserts an endoscope through the mouth into the duodenum and bile ducts. Dye is sent through the tube into the ducts. The dye makes the ducts show up on an x-ray.

endoscopic sphincterotomy - An operation to cut the muscle between the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct. The operation uses a catheter and a wire to remove gallstones or other blockages. Also called endoscopic papillotomy.

endoscopy - Procedure in which a lighted viewing instrument (endoscope) is used to look inside a body cavity or organ to diagnose or treat disorders.

enema - A liquid put into the rectum to clear out the bowel or to administer drugs or food.

enlarged heart - A condition of the heart in which it is abnormally larger than normal.

enteral nutrition -A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine. A tube in the nose is called a nasogastric or nasoenteral tube. A tube that goes through the skin into the stomach is called a gastrostomy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). A tube into the small intestine is called a jejunostomy or percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) tube. Also called tube feeding.

enteritis - An irritation of the small intestine.

enterocele - Condition caused by weakened muscles in the pelvis in which a portion of the intestines bulges into the top of the vagina.

enteroscopy - An examination of the small intestine with an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and stomach into the small intestine.

enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse - A nurse who cares for patients with an ostomy. See also Ostomy.

enterostomy - An ostomy, or opening, into the intestine through the abdominal wall.

enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - A blood test used to find Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Also used to diagnose an ulcer.

eosinophilic gastroenteritis - Infection and swelling of the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. The infection is caused by white blood cells (eosinophils).

epicardium - The membrane that covers the outside of the heart.

epidural anesthesia - Method of pain relief used during surgery or childbirth in which an anesthetic is injected into a small area surrounding the spinal cord (the ePIDural space) to block pain nerve impulses from the lower half of the body.

epilepsy - A brain disorder involving recurrent seizures; may also be called a seizure disorder.

epinephrine - One of two chemicals (the other is norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland that increases the speed and force of heartbeats. It dilates the airways to improve breathing and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestine so that an increased flow of blood reaches the muscles and allows them to cope with the demands of exercise.

episiotomy - Incision made in the skin between the vagina and anus to enlarge the vaginal opening and facilitate childbirth.

epithelial cells - One of many kinds of cells that form the epithelium and absorb nutrients. See also epithelium.

epithelium - The inner and outer tissue covering digestive tract organs.

equilibrium disorders - Balance disorders.

eructation - Belching.

erythema nodosum - Red swellings or sores on the lower legs during flareups of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These sores show that the disease is active. They usually go away when the disease is treated.

erythrocyte sedimentation rate - blood test that measures the speed at which red blood cells settle on the bottom of a test tube; high sedimentation rate signals possible inflammatory disease.

escherichia coli (e. coli) - Bacteria that cause infection and irritation of the large intestine. The bacteria are spread by unclean water, dirty cooking utensils, or undercooked meat. See also gastroenteritis.

esophageal atresia - A congenital lack of continuity of the esophagus.

esophageal reflux - See gastroesophageal reflux disease.

esophageal spasms - Muscle cramps in the esophagus that cause pain in the chest.

esophageal stricture - A narrowing of the esophagus often caused by acid flowing back from the stomach. This condition may require surgery.

esophageal ulcer - A sore in the esophagus. Caused by long-term inflammation or damage from the residue of pills. The ulcer may cause chest pain.

esophageal varices - Stretched veins in the esophagus that occur when the liver is not working properly. If the veins burst, the bleeding can cause death.

esophagitis - An irritation of the esophagus, usually caused by acid that flows up from the stomach.

esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - Exam of the upper digestive tract using an endoscope. See endoscopy.

esophagus - The organ that connects the mouth to the stomach. Also called gullet.

estrogen - Key female hormone, produced mostly in the ovaries, and essential for the healthy development and functioning of the female reproductive system and in keeping bones strong and brain cells healthy.

estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) - Use of the female hormone estrogen to replace that which the body no longer produces naturally after medical or surgical menopause.

euphoria - A feeling of well-being or elation; may be drug related.

excrete - To get rid of waste from the body.

expectant management or therapy - "Watchful waiting" or close monitoring of prostate cancer by a physician instead of immediate treatment.

extensor muscle - Any muscle that causes the straightening of a limb or other part.

external urethral sphincter muscle - A voluntary and involuntary ring-like band of muscle fibers that you voluntarily contract when you want to stop urinating.

extrapyramidal system - System consisting of nerve cells, nerve tracts and pathways that connects the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, reticular formation, and spinal neurons that is concerned with the regulation of reflex movements such as balance and walking.

extrinsic asthma - Asthma that is triggered by an allergic reaction, usually to something that is inhaled.

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