Dictionary of Medical Terms 4th Ed

elevation sling / el ve ʃ(ə)n sl ŋ/ noun a sling tied round the neck, used to hold an injured hand or arm in a high position to control bleeding

elevator / el ve tə/ noun 1. a muscle which raises part of the body 2. a surgical instrument used to lift part of a broken bone

eliminate / l m ne t/ verb to remove waste matter from the body The excess salts are eliminated through the kidneys.

elimination / l m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun the re-

moval of waste matter from the body elimination diet / l m ne ʃ(ə)n da ət/

noun a structured diet where different foods are eliminated one at a time in order to see the effect on symptoms, used in conditions such as allergies and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ELISA / la zə/ noun a process in which an enzyme binds to an antibody or antigen and causes a colour change that shows the presence or amount of protein in a sample of biological material. Full form enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

elixir / l ksə/ noun a sweet liquid which hides

the unpleasant taste of a drug elliptocytosis / l ptəυsa təυs s/ noun a

condition in which unusual oval-shaped red cells appear in the blood

emaciated / me ʃie t d/ adjective very thin and extremely underweight

emaciation / me si e ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the fact of being extremely thin and underweight 2. the loss of body tissue

emaculation / m kjυ le ʃ(ə)n/ noun the

removal of spots from the skin emasculation / m skjυ le ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

the removal of the penis 2. the loss of male characteristics

embalm / m bɑ m/ verb to preserve a dead body by using special antiseptic chemicals to

prevent decay

embolectomy / embə lektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to remove a blood clot

emboli / embəli/ plural of embolus embolisation / embəla ze ʃ(ə)n/, emboli-

zation noun the use of emboli inserted down a catheter into a blood vessel to treat internal bleeding

‘…once a bleeding site has been located, a catheter is manipulated as near as possible to it, so that embolization can be carried out. Many different materials are used as the embolus.’ [British Medical

Journal]

embolism / embəl z(ə)m/ noun the blocking of an artery by a mass of material, usually a

blood clot, preventing the flow of blood embolus / embələs/ noun 1. a mass of mate-

rial which blocks a blood vessel, e.g. a blood clot, air bubble or fat globule 2. material inserted into a blood vessel down a catheter to treat internal bleeding (NOTE: The plural is emboli.)

embrocation / embrə ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun same

as liniment

embryo / embriəυ/ noun an unborn baby during the first eight weeks after conception

(NOTE: After eight weeks, the unborn baby is

called a fetus.)

embryological / embriə lɒd k(ə)l/ adjec-

tive referring to embryology

embryology / embri ɒləd i/ noun the study of the early stages of the development of an embryo

embryonic / embri ɒn k/ adjective 1. referring to an embryo 2. in an early stage of devel-

opment

embryonic ectoderm / embriɒn k ektəυ

d! m/ noun ectoderm

embryonic membrane / embriɒn k membre n/ noun one of the two layers around

an embryo providing protection and food sup-

ply, i.e. the amnion and the chorion

embryonic mesoderm / embriɒn k mesəυd! m/ noun mesoderm

emergency / m! d ənsi/ noun a situation where urgent immediate action has to be taken

emergency medical technician /

m! d ənsi med k(ə)l tek n ʃ(ə)n/ noun US a trained paramedic who gives care to victims at the scene of an accident or in an ambulance.

Abbr EMT

emergency medicine / m! d ənsi med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun the treatment of patients whose condition is serious and requires urgent

immediate action

emergency room / m! d ənsi ru m/ noun US the part of a hospital where people who need urgent immediate treatment are dealt

with

emergency ward / m! d ənsi wɔ d/ noun the part of a hospital where people who need urgent immediate treatment are dealt with emesis / eməs s/ noun same as vomiting emetic / met k/ noun a substance which causes vomiting adjective causing vomiting EMG abbr electromyogram

eminence / em nəns/ noun something which protrudes from a surface, e.g. a lump on a bone or swelling on the skin

emissary vein / em səri ve n/ noun a vein through the skull which connects the venous sinuses with the scalp veins

emission / m ʃ(ə)n/ noun a discharge or re-

lease of fluid

emmenagogue / menə&ɒ&/ noun a drug

which will help increase menstrual flow emmetropia /em trəυpiə/ noun the correct

focusing of light rays by the eye onto the retina

giving normal vision. Compare ametropia emollient / mɒliənt/ noun a substance

which soothes or smooths the skin, e.g. to prevent the development of eczema adjective smoothening

emotion / məυʃ(ə)n/ noun a strong feeling emotional disorder / məυʃ(ə)nəl d s

ɔ də/ noun a disorder due to worry, stress,

grief or other strong emotion

emotional immaturity / məυʃ(ə)nəl mə tʃυtəti/ noun lacking in emotional develop-

ment

empathy / empəθi/ noun the ability to understand the problems and feelings of another person

emphysema / emf si mə/ noun a condition in which the walls of the alveoli of the lungs break down, reducing the surface available for gas exchange and resulting in a lower oxygen level in the blood and shortness of breath. It can be caused by smoking, living in a polluted environment, old age, asthma or whooping cough. surgical emphysema

empirical treatment / m p r k(ə)l tri tmənt/ noun treatment which is based on

symptoms and clinical experience rather than on a thorough knowledge of the cause of the

disorder

empowerment / m paυəmənt/ noun the act of giving someone authority and power to make decisions that will affect them empyema / empa i mə/ noun the collection of pus in a cavity, especially in the pleural cavity. Also called pyothorax

EMS abbr Emergency Medical Services

EMT abbr US emergency medical technician emulsion / m"lʃən/ noun a combination of

liquids such as oil and water which do not usually mix

EN abbr enrolled nurse

EN(G) abbr enrolled nurse (general) EN(M) abbr enrolled nurse (mental)

EN(MH) abbr enrolled nurse (mental handicap)

en- /en, n/ prefix 1. in, into 2. to provide with 3. to cause to be 4. to put into or cover with 5. to go into

enalapril /e n ləpr l/ noun a drug used for the short-term management of high blood pressure

enamel / n m(ə)l/ noun the hard white

shiny outer covering of the crown of a tooth enanthema / enən θi mə/ noun a rash on a

mucous membrane, such as that of the mouth or vagina, produced by the action of toxic sub-

stances on small blood vessels

enarthrosis / enɑ θrəυs s/ noun a ball and

socket joint, e.g. the hip joint encapsulated / n k psjυle t d/ adjective

enclosed in a capsule or in a sheath of tissue encefalin /en kefəl n/ noun another spelling

of encephalin

encephal- /enkefəl/ prefix same as encepha-

lo- (used before vowels)

encephalin /en kefəl n/ noun a peptide produced in the brain which acts as a natural pain-

killer. endorphin (NOTE: The US spelling is

la t s/ noun inflammation of the brain

COMMENT: Encephalitis is caused by any of several viruses (viral encephalitis) and is also associated with infectious viral diseases such as measles or mumps. The variant St Louis encephalitis is transmitted by mosquitoes.

encephalitis lethargica / enkefəla t s l θɑ d kə/ noun same as lethargic encephalitis

encephalo- /enkefələ/ prefix referring to the brain

encephalocele /en kefələυsi l/ noun a condition in which the brain protrudes through a congenital or traumatic gap in the skull bones

encephalogram /en kefələ&r m/, encephalograph /en kefələ&rɑ f/ noun an X-ray

photograph of the ventricles and spaces of the brain taken after air has been injected into the cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture encephalography /en kefə lɒ&rəfi/ noun an X-ray examination of the ventricles and spaces of the brain taken after air has been injected into the cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture

COMMENT: The air takes the place of the cerebrospinal fluid and makes it easier to photograph the ventricles clearly. This technique has been superseded by CT and MRI.

encephaloid /en kefəlɔ d/ adjective like brain tissue

encephaloma /en kefə ləυmə/ noun a tumour of the brain

encephalomalacia /en kefələυmə le ʃiə/ noun softening of the brain encephalomyelitis /en kefələυma ə la t s/ noun a group of diseases which cause inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord

encephalomyelopathy /en kefələυma ə lɒpəθi/ noun any condition where the brain

and spinal cord are diseased

encephalon /en kefəlɒn/ noun same as brain (NOTE: The plural is encephala.) encephalopathy /en kefə lɒpəθi/ noun any disease of the brain

enchondroma / enkən drəυmə/ noun a tumour formed of cartilage growing inside a bone

enchondromatosis / enkəndrɒmə təυs s/ noun a condition in which a tumour formed of cartilage grows inside a bone

encopresis / enkəυ pri s s/ noun faecal incontinence not associated with a physical condition or disease

encounter group / n kaυntə &ru p/ noun a form of treatment of psychological disorders, where people meet and talk about their problems in a group

encysted /en s st d/ adjective enclosed in a capsule like a cyst

end- /end/ prefix same as endo- (used before vowels)

endanger / n de nd ə/ verb to put someone or something at risk The operation may endanger the life of the patient. endarterectomy / endɑ tə rektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of the lining of a blocked artery. Also called rebore

endarteritis / endɑ tə ra t s/ noun inflammation of the inner lining of an artery

endarteritis obliterans / endɑ t ra t s ə bl tərənz/ noun a condition where inflamma-

tion in an artery is so severe that it blocks the artery

end artery / end ɑ təri/ noun the last section of an artery which does not divide into smaller arteries and does not join to other arteries endaural /end ɔ rəl/ adjective inside the ear endemic /en dem k/ adjective referring to any disease which is very common in specific places This disease is endemic to Mediterranean countries.

endemic haemoptysis /en dem k hi mɒptəs s/ noun same as paragonimiasis

endemic syphilis /en dem k s fəl s/ ad-

jective same as bejel

endemic typhus /en dem k ta fəs/ noun fever transmitted by fleas from rats endemiology /en di mi ɒləd i/ noun the

study of endemic diseases

end-expiratory / end k spa rətri/ noun

positive end-expiratory pressure endo- /endəυ/ prefix inside

endobronchial /endəυ brɒŋkiəl/ adjective

inside the bronchi

endocardial / endəυ kɑ diəl/ adjective referring to the endocardium

endocardial pacemaker / endəυkɑ diəl pe sme kə/ noun a pacemaker attached to the

lining of the heart

endocarditis / endəυkɑ da t s/ noun inflammation of the membrane lining of the heart

endocardium / endəυ kɑ diəm/ noun a membrane which lines the heart. See illustra-

tion at HEART in Supplement endocervicitis / endəυs! v sa t s/ noun

inflammation of the membrane in the neck of

the uterus

endocervix / endəυ s! v ks/ noun a membrane which lines the neck of the uterus endochondral / endəυ kɒndrəl/ adjective inside a cartilage

endocrine / endəυkra n/ adjective relating to the endocrine glands or the hormones they secrete

endocrine gland / endəυkra n &l nd/ noun a gland without a duct which produces

hormones which are introduced directly into the bloodstream, e.g. the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, the adrenal gland and the gonads. Also called ductless gland. Compare exo-

crine gland

endocrine system / endəυkra n s stəm/ noun a system of related ductless glands endocrinologist / endəυkr nɒləd st/ noun a doctor who specialises in the study of endocrinology

endocrinology / endəυkr nɒləd i/ noun the study of the endocrine system, its function and effects

endoderm / endəυd! m/ noun the inner of three layers surrounding an embryo. Also called entoderm

COMMENT: The endoderm gives rise to most of the epithelium of the respiratory system, the alimentary canal, some of the ductless glands the bladder and part of the urethra.

endodermal / endəυ d! m(ə)l/ adjective referring to the endoderm. Also called entoder-

mal

endodontia / endəυ dɒnʃiə/ noun treatment of chronic toothache by removing the roots of a tooth

endogenous /en dɒd ənəs/ adjective developing or being caused by something inside an organism. Compare exogenous endogenous depression /en dɒd ənəs d preʃ(ə)n/ noun depression caused by no obvious external factor

endogenous eczema /en dɒd ənəs ek s mə/ noun eczema which is caused by no obvious external factor

endolymph / endəυl mf/ noun a fluid inside the membranous labyrinth in the inner ear endolymphatic duct / endəυl mf t k d"kt/ noun a duct which carries the endolymph inside the membranous labyrinth

endolysin /en dɒl s n/ noun a substance present in cells, which kills bacteria endometria / endəυ mi triə/ plural of en-

dometrium

endometrial / endəυ mi triəl/ adjective referring to the endometrium

endometrial laser ablation /

endəυmi triəl le zə əb le ʃ(ə)n/ noun a gynaecological surgical procedure using a laser to treat fibroids or other causes of thickening of the lining of the uterus

endometriosis / endəυmi tri əυs s/ noun a condition affecting women, in which tissue similar to the tissue of the uterus is found in other parts of the body

endometritis / endəυm tra t s/ noun inflammation of the lining of the uterus endometrium / endəυ mi triəm/ noun the mucous membrane lining the uterus, part of which is shed at each menstruation (NOTE: The plural is endometria.)

endomyocarditis / endəυma əυkɑ da t s/ noun inflammation of the muscle and inner membrane of the heart

endomysium / endəυ m siəm/ noun connective tissue around and between muscle fibres

endoneurium / endəυ njυəriəm/ noun fibrous tissue between the individual fibres in a nerve

endoparasite / endəυ p rəsa t/ noun a parasite which lives inside its host, e.g. in the intestines. Compare ectoparasite endophthalmitis / endɒfθ l ma t s/ noun inflammation of the interior of the eyeball

end organ / end ɔ &ən/ noun a nerve ending with encapsulated nerve filaments

endorphin /en dɔ f n/ noun a peptide produced by the brain which acts as a natural painkiller. encephalin

endoscope / endəskəυp/ noun an instrument used to examine the inside of the body, made of a thin tube which is passed into the body down a passage. The tube has a fibre optic light, and may have small surgical instruments attached.

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography / endəυskɒp k retrə&re d kə l nd iəυp ŋkriə tɒ&rəfi/ noun a method

used to examine the pancreatic duct and bile duct for possible obstructions. Abbr ERCP endoscopy /en dɒskəpi/ noun an examination of the inside of the body using an endoscope

endoskeleton / endəυ skel t(ə)n/ noun the inner structure of bones and cartilage in an animal

endosteum /en dɒstiəm/ noun a membrane lining the bone marrow cavity inside a long bone

endothelial / endəυ θi liəl/ adjective referring to the endothelium

endothelioma / endəυθi li əυmə/ noun a malignant tumour originating inside the endothelium

endothelium / endəυ θi liəm/ noun a membrane of special cells which lines the heart, the lymph vessels, the blood vessels and various body cavities. Compare epithelium, mesothelium

endotoxin / endəυ tɒks n/ noun a toxic substance released after the death of some bacterial cells

endotracheal / endəυ tre kiəl/ adjective same as intratracheal

endotracheal tube / endəυ tre kiəl tju b/ noun a tube passed down the trachea, through either the nose or mouth, in anaesthesia or to help a person breathe

end plate / end ple t/ noun the end of a motor nerve, where it joins muscle fibre

end stage renal disease / end ste d ri n(ə)l d zi z/ noun the stage of kidney disease at which uraemia occurs and dialysis needs to start. Abbr ESRD

enema / en mə/ noun a liquid substance put into the rectum to introduce a drug into the body, to wash out the colon before an operation or for diagnosis

enema bag / enəmə b &/ noun a bag containing the liquid for an enema, attached to a tube into the rectum

energy / enəd i/ noun the force or strength to carry out activities You need to eat certain types of food to give you energy.

enervation / enə ve ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. general nervous weakness 2. a surgical operation to remove a nerve

engagement / n &e d mənt/ noun (in obstetrics) the moment where part of the fetus, usually the head, enters the pelvis at the beginning of labour

engorged / n &ɔ d d/ adjective excessively

filled with liquid, usually blood engorgement / n &ɔ d mənt/ noun the ex-

cessive filling of a vessel, usually with blood enkephalin /en kefəl n/ noun US same as

encephalin

enophthalmos / enɒf θ lməs/ noun a condition in which the eyes are very deep in their sockets

enostosis / enə stəυs s/ noun a harmless growth inside a bone, usually in the skull or in a long bone

enrolled / n rəυld/ adjective registered on an official list

Enrolled Nurse / n rəυld n! s/ noun sec- ond-level nurse

ensiform / ensifɔ m/ adjective shaped like a sword

ensiform cartilage / ens fɔ m kɑ təl d / noun same as xiphoid process

ENT abbr Ear, Nose & Throat

Entamoeba coli / entəmi bə kəυla / noun

a harmless intestinal parasite

Entamoeba gingivalis / entəmi bəd nd v l s/ noun an amoeba that lives in the gums and tonsils, and causes gingivitis

Entamoeba histolytica / entəmi bə h stə l t kə/ noun an intestinal amoeba which causes amoebic dysentery

ENT department / i en ti d pɑ tmənt/ noun a department of otorhinolaryngology

ENT doctor / i en ti dɒktə/ noun same as otorhinolaryngologist

enter- /entə/ prefix same as entero- (used be-

fore vowels)

enteral / entərəl/ adjective 1. referring to the intestine. Compare parenteral 2. referring to medication or food which is taken by mouth or through a nasogastric tube

enteral feeding / entərəl fi d ŋ/ noun the feeding of a person by a nasogastric tube or by the infusion of liquid food directly into the intestine. Also called enteral nutrition

‘Standard nasogastric tubes are usually sufficient for enteral feeding in critically ill patients’ [British Journal of Nursing]

enteralgia / entər ld ə/ noun same as colic enterally / entərəli/ adverb referring to a

method of feeding a person by nasogastric tube or directly into the intestine

‘All patients requiring nutrition are fed enterally, whether nasogastrically or directly into the small in-

testine’ [British Journal of Nursing]

enteral nutrition / entərəl nju tr ʃ(ə)n/

noun same as enteral feeding

enterectomy / entər ektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of part of the intestine

enteric /en ter k/ adjective referring to the in-

testine

enteric-coated /en ter k kəυt d/ adjective referring to a capsule with a coating which prevents it from being digested and releasing

the drug until it reaches the intestine

enteric fever /en ter k fi və/ noun US 1. any one of three fevers (typhoid, paratyphoid A and paratyphoid B) 2. any febrile disease of the intestines

enteritis / entə ra t s/ noun inflammation of

the mucous membrane of the intestine entero- /entərəυ/ prefix referring to the intes-

tine

Enterobacteria / entərəυb k t əriə/ noun a family of Gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia and Kleb-

siella

enterobiasis / entərəυ ba əs s/ noun a common children’s disease, caused by threadworms in the large intestine which cause itch-

ing round the anus. Also called oxyuriasis

Enterobius / entə rəυbiəs/ noun a small thin nematode worm, one species of which,

Enterobius vermicularis, infests the large intestine and causes itching round the anus. Also

called threadworm, pinworm

enterocele / entərəυsi l/, enterocoele / en terəυsi l/ noun a hernia of the intestine

enterocentesis / entərəυsen ti s s/ noun surgical puncturing of the intestines where a hollow needle is pushed through the abdominal wall into the intestine to remove gas or flu-

id

enterococcus / entərəυ kɒkəs/ noun a streptococcal bacterium that lives in the intes-

tine (NOTE: The plural is enterococci.) enterocoele / enterəυsi l/ noun another

spelling of enterocele

enterocolitis / entərəυkə la t s/ noun in-

flammation of the colon and small intestine enterogastrone / entərəυ & strəυn/ noun

a hormone released in the duodenum, which controls secretions of the stomach

enterogenous / entərəυ d i nəs/ adjective originating in the intestine

enterolith / entərəυl θ/ noun a stone in the intestine

enteron / entərɒn/ noun the whole intestinal tract

enteropathy / entə rɒpəθi/ noun any disorder of the intestine. gluten-induced enteropathy

enteropeptidase / entərəυ pept de z/ noun an enzyme produced by glands in the small intestine

enteroptosis / entərɒp təυs s/ noun a condition in which the intestine is lower than usual in the abdominal cavity

enterorrhaphy / entər ɔ rəfi/ noun a surgical operation to stitch up a perforated intestine enteroscope / entərəskəυp/ noun an instrument for inspecting the inside of the intestine enterospasm / entərəυ sp z(ə)m/ noun an irregular painful contraction of the intestine enterostomy / entə rɒstəmi/ noun a surgical operation to make an opening between the small intestine and the abdominal wall enterotomy / entə rɒtəmi/ noun a surgical incision in the intestine

enterotoxin / entərəυ tɒks n/ noun a bacterial exotoxin which particularly affects the intestine

enterovirus / entərəυ va rəs/ noun a virus which prefers to live in the intestine. Enteroviruses include poliomyelitis virus, Coxsackie viruses and the echoviruses.

enterozoon / enterəυ zəυɒn/ noun a parasite which infests the intestine (NOTE: The plural is enterozoa.)

entoderm / entəυd! m/ noun same as endoderm

entodermal / entəυ d! m(ə)l/ adjective same as endodermal

Entonox / entənɒks/ noun a gas consisting of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide that is used as a painkiller during childbirth

entopic / n tɒp k/ adjective located or taking place in the usual position. Opposite ectopic entropion / n trəυpiən/ noun a turning of the edge of the eyelid towards the inside

enucleate / nju klie t/ verb to remove something completely

enucleation / nju kli e ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the surgical removal of all of a tumour 2. the surgical removal of the whole eyeball

enuresis / enjυ ri s s/ noun the involuntary passing of urine

enuretic / enjυ ret k/ adjective referring to enuresis, or causing enuresis envenomation / n venə me ʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of snake venom as part of a therapeutic treatment

environment / n va rənmənt/ noun the conditions and influences under which an organism lives

environmental / n va rən ment(ə)l/ adjective referring to the environment

Environmental Health Officer / nva rənment(ə)l helθ ɒf sə/ noun an official

of a local authority who examines the environment and tests for air pollution, bad sanitation, noise pollution and similar threats to public health. Abbr EHO

environmental temperature / n va rən ment(ə)l tempr tʃə/ noun the temperature of

the air outside the body

enzymatic / enza m t k/ adjective referring to enzymes

enzyme / enza m/ noun a protein substance produced by living cells which aids a biochemical reaction in the body (NOTE: The names of enzymes mostly end with the suffix - ase.)

COMMENT: Many different enzymes exist in the body, working in the digestive system, in the metabolic processes and helping the synthesis of certain compounds.

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay /

enza m l ŋkt mjυnəυ sɔ bənt se / noun full form of ELISA

eonism / ən z(ə)m/ noun cross-dressing, when a male wears female dress

eosin / i əυs n/ noun a red crystalline solid used as a biological staining dye eosinopenia / i əυs nə pi niə/ noun a reduction in the number of eosinophils in the blood

eosinophil / i əυ s nəf l/ noun a type of cell that can be stained with eosin

eosinophilia / i əυs nə f liə/ noun an excess of eosinophils in the blood

eparterial / epɑ t əriəl/ adjective situated

over or on an artery

ependyma / pend mə/ noun a thin membrane which lines the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord ependymal / pend m(ə)l/ adjective refer-

ring to the ependyma

ependymal cell / pend m(ə)l sel/ noun one

of the cells which form the ependyma ependymoma / pend məυmə/ noun a tu-

mour in the brain originating in the ependyma ephedrine / ef dri n/ noun a drug that relieves asthma and blocked noses by causing the air passages to widen

ephidrosis / ef drəυs s/ noun an unusual amount of sweat

epi- /ep / prefix on or over

epiblepharon / ep blefərɒn/ noun an unusual fold of skin over the eyelid, which may press the eyelashes against the eyeball

epicanthus / ep k nθəs/, epicanthic fold /

ep k nθ k fəυld/ noun a large fold of skin

in the inner corner of the eye, common in babies and also found in adults of some groups such as the Chinese

epicardial / ep kɑ diəl/ adjective referring to the epicardium

epicardial pacemaker / ep kɑ diəl pe s me kə/ noun a pacemaker attached to the surface of the ventricle

epicardium / ep kɑ diəm/ noun the inner layer of the pericardium which lines the walls of the heart, outside the myocardium. See illustration at HEART in Supplement epicondyle / ep kɒnda l/ noun a projecting part of the round end of a bone above the condyle

epicondylitis / ep kɒnd la t s/ noun same as tennis elbow

epicranium / ep kre niəm/ noun the five layers of the scalp, the skin and hair on the head covering the skull

epicranius / ep kre niəs/ noun a scalp muscle

epicritic / ep kr t k/ adjective referring to the nerves which govern the fine senses of touch and temperature

epidemic / ep dem k/ adjective spreading quickly through a large part of the population

The disease rapidly reached epidemic proportions. noun an outbreak of an infectious disease which spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people

epidemic pleurodynia / ep dem k plυərə d niə/ noun a viral disease affecting the intestinal muscles, with symptoms like influenza, such as fever, headaches and pains in the chest. Also called Bornholm disease

epidemic typhus / ep dem k ta fəs/ noun fever with headaches, mental disorder and a rash, caused by lice which come from other humans

epidemiological / ep di m ə lɒd k(ə)l/ adjective concerning epidemiology

epidemiologist / ep di m ɒləd st/ noun a person who specialises in the study of diseases in groups of people

epidemiology / ep di mi ɒləd i/ noun the study of diseases in the community, in particular how they spread and how they can be controlled

epidermal / ep d! m(ə)l/ adjective referring to the epidermis

epidermis / ep d! m s/ noun the outer layer of the skin, including the dead skin on the surface. Also called cuticle

epidermoid cyst / ep d! mɔ d s st/ noun same as sebaceous cyst

epidermolysis / ep d! mɒləs s/ noun separation of the epidermis from the tissue underneath, usually forming a blister

epidermolysis bullosa / ep d! mɒləs s bυ ləυsə/ noun a group of disorders where blisters form on the skin

Epidermophyton / ep d! mɒf tən/ noun a fungus which grows on the skin and causes

athlete’s foot, among other disorders epidermophytosis / ep d! məυfa

təυs s/ noun a fungus infection of the skin, e.g. athlete’s foot

epididymal / ep d d m(ə)l/ adjective refer-

ring to the epididymis

epididymectomy / ep d d mektəmi/ noun the removal of the epididymis

epididymis / ep d d m s/ noun a long twisting thin tube at the back of the testis, which forms part of the efferent duct of the testis, and in which spermatozoa are stored before ejaculation. See illustration at UROGENITAL SYSTEM (MALE) in Supplement

epididymitis / ep d d ma t s/ noun inflam-

mation of the epididymis epididymo-orchitis /ep d d məυ ɔ ka *

t s/ noun inflammation of the epididymis and

the testes

epidural / ep djυərəl/ adjective on the outside of the dura mater. Also called extradural

noun same as epidural anaesthesia epidural anaesthesia /ep djυərəl nəs

θi ziə/ noun a local anaesthesia in which anaesthetic is injected into the space between the

vertebral canal and the dura mater

epidural block / ep djυərəl blɒk/ noun analgesia produced by injecting an analgesic solution into the space between the vertebral ca-

nal and the dura mater

epidural space / ep djυərəl spe s/ noun a space in the spinal cord between the vertebral canal and the dura mater

epigastric / ep & str k/ adjective referring to the upper abdomen The patient com-

plained of pains in the epigastric area. epigastrium / ep & striəm/ noun the part

of the upper abdomen between the ribcage and

the navel. Also called the pit of the stomach epigastrocele / ep & strəυsi l/ noun a

hernia in the upper abdomen

epiglottis / ep &lɒt s/ noun a flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue which moves to block the windpipe when food is swallowed, so that the food does not go down the trachea epiglottitis / ep &lɒ ta t s/ noun inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis

epilation / ep le ʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of

removing hair by destroying the hair follicles epilepsy / ep lepsi/ noun a disorder of the

nervous system in which there are convulsions and loss of consciousness due to a disordered discharge of cerebral neurones

COMMENT: The commonest form of epilepsy is major epilepsy or ‘grand mal’, where a person loses consciousness and falls to the ground with convulsions. A less severe form is minor

epilepsy or ‘petit mal’, where attacks last only a few seconds, and the person appears simply to be hesitating or thinking deeply.

epileptic / ep lept k/ adjective having epilepsy, or relating to epilepsy noun a person with epilepsy (NOTE: The word ‘epileptic’ to de-

scribe a person is now avoided.)

epileptic fit / ep lept k f t/ noun an attack of convulsions, and sometimes unconsciousness, due to epilepsy

epileptiform / ep lept fɔ m/ adjective be-

ing similar to epilepsy

epileptogenic / ep leptəυ d en k/ adjective causing epilepsy

epiloia / ep lɔ ə/ noun a hereditary disease of the brain associated with learning disabilities, epilepsy and tumours on the kidney and heart. Also called tuberose sclerosis epimenorrhagia / ep menə re d ə/ noun very heavy bleeding during menstruation occurring at very short intervals epimenorrhoea / ep menə ri ə/ noun menstruation at shorter intervals than twenty-eight days

epimysium / ep ma siəm/ noun a connective tissue binding striated muscle fibres epinephrine / ep nefr n/ noun US same as

adrenaline

epineurium / ep njυəriəm/ noun a sheath of connective tissue round a nerve epiphenomenon / ep fə nɒm nən/ noun an unusual symptom which may not be caused by a disease

epiphora /e p fərə/ noun a condition in which the eye fills with tears either because the lacrimal duct is blocked or because excessive tears are being secreted

epiphyseal / ep f ziəl/ adjective referring to an epiphysis

epiphyseal cartilage /ep f ziəl kɑ təl d / noun a type of cartilage in the bones of children and adolescents which expands and hardens as the bones grow to full size epiphyseal line /ep f ziəl la n/ noun a plate of epiphyseal cartilage separating the epiphysis and the diaphysis of a long bone epiphysis /e p fəs s/ noun the area of growth in a bone which is separated from the main part of the bone by cartilage until bone growth stops. See illustration at BONE STRUC- TURE in Supplement. Compare diaphysis, met-

aphysis

epiphysis cerebri /e p fəs s sə ri bri/ noun the pineal gland. See illustration at BONE STRUCTURE in Supplement

epiphysitis / ep f sa t s/ noun inflammation of an epiphysis

epiplo- /ep pləυ/ prefix referring to the omentum

epiplocele /e p pləυsi l/ noun a hernia containing part of the omentum

epiploic / ep pləυik/ adjective referring to the omentum

epiploon /e p pləυɒn/ noun same as omentum

episclera / ep skl ərə/ noun the outer surface of the sclera of the eyeball

episcleritis / ep sklə ra t s/ noun inflammation of the outer surface of the sclera in the eyeball

episi- /əp ziəυ/, episio- /əp zi/ prefix referring to the vulva

episiorrhaphy /ə p zi ɔ rəfi/ noun a procedure for stitching torn labia majora episiotomy /ə p zi ɒtəmi/ noun a surgical cut of the perineum near the vagina to prevent tearing during childbirth

episode / ep səυd/ noun a separate occurrence of an illness

episodic / ep sɒd k/ adjective happening in separate but related incidents, e.g. asthma which occurs in separate attacks epispadias / ep spe diəs/ noun a congenital condition where the urethra opens on the top of the penis and not at the end. Compare hypospadias

epispastic / ep sp st k/ noun same as vesicant

epistaxis / ep st ks s/ noun same as nose-

bleed

epithalamus / ep θ ləməs/ noun the part of the forebrain containing the pineal body epithelial / ep θi liəl/ adjective referring to the epithelium

epithelialisation / ep θi liəla ze ʃ(ə)n/, epithelialization noun the growth of skin over a wound

epithelial layer /ep θi liəl le ə/ noun the epithelium

epithelial tissue /ep θi liəl t ʃu / noun epithelial cells arranged as a continuous sheet consisting of one or several layers epithelioma /ep θi li əυmə/ noun a tumour arising from epithelial cells

epithelium / ep θi liəm/ noun the layer or layers of cells covering an organ, including the skin and the lining of all hollow cavities except blood vessels, lymphatics and serous cavities. Compare endothelium, mesothelium

COMMENT: Epithelium is classified according to the shape of the cells and the number of layers of cells which form it. The types of epithelium according to the number of layers are: simple epithelium (epithelium formed of a single layer of cells) and stratified epithelium (epithelium formed of several layers of cells). The main types of epithelial cells are: columnar epithelium (simple epithelium with long narrow cells, forming the lining of the intestines); ciliated epithelium (simple epithelium where the cells have little hairs, forming the lining of air passages); cuboidal epithelium (with cube-shaped cells, forming the lining of glands and intestines) and squamous epi-

thelium or pavement epithelium (with flat cells like scales, forming the lining of the pericardium, peritoneum and pleura).

epituberculosis / ep tjυ b! kjυ ləυs s/ noun swelling of the lymph node in the thorax, due to tuberculosis

eponym / epən m/ noun a procedure, disease or part of the body which is named after a person

COMMENT: An eponym can refer to a disease or condition such as Dupuytren’s contracture, or Guillain–Barré syndrome, a part of the body such as circle of Willis, an organism such as Leishmania, a surgical procedure such as Trendelenburg’s operation or an appliance such as Kirschner wire.

Epsom salts / epsəm sɔ lts/ noun same as

magnesium sulphate

Epstein–Barr virus / epsta n bɑ va rəs/ noun a virus which probably causes glandular fever. Also called EB virus [Isolated and described 1964. After Michael Anthony Epstein (b. 1921), Bristol pathologist; Murray Llewellyn Barr (1908–95), Canadian anatomist and cytologist, head of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Western Ontario, Canada.]

epulis / pju l s/ noun a small fibrous swell-

ing on a gum

equi- / kw , ekw / prefix equal equilibrium / i kw l briəm/ noun a state of balance

equinovarus / kwa nəυ veərəs/ talipes equipment / kw pmənt/ noun apparatus or

tools which are required to do something

The centre urgently needs surgical equipment.The surgeons complained about the out-of- date equipment in the hospital. (NOTE: No plural: for one item say a piece of equipment.)

ER abbr 1. US emergency room 2. endoplasmic reticulum

eradicate / r d ke t/ verb to remove something completely international action to eradicate tuberculosis

eradication / r d ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of removing something completely

Erb’s palsy / ! bz pɔ lzi/, Erb’s paralysis /

! bz pə r ləs s/ noun a condition in which an arm is paralysed because of birth injuries to the brachial plexus. Bell’s palsy

ERCP abbr endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

erect / rekt/ adjective stiff and straight erectile / rekta l/ adjective able to become erect

erectile dysfunction / rekta l d s f"ŋkʃən/ noun a condition in which a man

finds it difficult or impossible to have or maintain an erection during intercourse

erectile tissue / rekta l t ʃu / noun vascular tissue which can become erect and stiff when engorged with blood, e.g. the corpus cavernosum in the penis

erection / rekʃən/ noun a state where a body part such as the penis becomes swollen because of engorgement with blood

erector / rektə/ noun a small muscle which raises a body part

erector spinae / rektə spa ni / noun a large muscle starting at the base of the spine, and dividing as it runs up the spine

erepsin / reps n/ noun a mixture of enzymes produced by the glands in the intestine, used in the production of amino acids

erethism / erəθ z(ə)m/ noun unusual irritability

ERG abbr electroretinogram

ergograph / ! &əυ&rɑ f/ noun apparatus which records the work of one or several muscles

ergometrine maleate / ! &əυmetri n m lie t/ noun a drug used to speed up the de-

livery of the placenta in childbirth and to control postnatal bleeding

ergonomics / ! &ə nɒm ks/ noun the study of humans at work

ergot / ! &ət/ noun a disease of rye caused by the fungus Clariceps purpurea

ergotamine /! &ɒtəmi n/ noun a drug that causes narrowing of blood vessels and alleviates migraine, derived from the ergot fungus

ergotism / ! &ət z(ə)m/ noun poisoning caused by eating rye which has been contaminated with the ergot fungus

COMMENT: The symptoms of ergotism are muscle cramps and dry gangrene in the fingers and toes.

erogenous / rɒd ənəs/ adjective producing sexual excitement

erogenous zone / rɒd ənəs zəυn/ noun a part of the body which, if stimulated, produces sexual arousal, e.g. the penis, clitoris or nipples

erosion / rəυ (ə)n/ noun the action of wearing away tissue or breaking down tissue

erotic / rɒt k/ adjective relating to or arousing the feeling of sexual desire

ERPC abbr evacuation of retained products of conception

eructation / i r"k te ʃ(ə)n/ noun same as belching

erupt / r"pt/ verb to break through the skin

The permanent incisors erupt before the premolars.

eruption / r"pʃən/ noun 1. something which breaks through the skin, e.g. a rash or pimple 2. the appearance of a new tooth in a gum

ery- /er / prefix same as erythro- erysipelas / er s pələs/ noun a contagious skin disease, where the skin on the face becomes hot, red and painful, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes

erysipeloid / er s pəlɔ d/ noun a bacterial skin infection caused by touching infected fish or meat

erythema / er θi mə/ noun redness on the skin, caused by hyperaemia of the blood ves-

sels near the surface

erythema ab igne / er θi mə b &ne / noun a pattern of red lines on the skin caused

by exposure to heat

erythema induratum / er θi mə ndjυ re təm/ noun a tubercular disease where ulcerating nodules appear on the legs of young

women. Also called Bazin’s disease erythema multiforme / er θi mə m"lti*

fɔ mi/ noun the sudden appearance of inflammatory red patches and sometimes blisters on

the skin

erythema nodosum / er θi mə nəυ dəυsəm/ noun an inflammatory disease where red swellings appear on the front of the

legs

erythema pernio / er θi mə p! niəυ/ noun

same as chilblain

erythema serpens / er θi mə s! pens/ noun a bacterial skin infection caused by touching infected fish or meat

erythematosus / er θi mə təυs s/ lupus erythematous / er θi mətəs/ adjective re-

ferring to erythema

erythr- /er θr/ prefix same as erythro- (used before vowels)

erythraemia / er θri miə/ noun a blood disorder where the number of red blood cells increases sharply, together with an increase in the number of white cells, making the blood thicker and slower to flow. Also called polycythaemia vera

erythrasma / er θr zmə/ noun a persistent bacterial skin infection occurring in a fold in the skin or where two skin surfaces touch, such as between the toes. It is caused by Coryne-

bacterium.

erythro- / r θrəυ/ prefix red

erythroblast / r θrəbl st/ noun a cell

which forms an erythrocyte or red blood cell erythroblastosis / r θrəυbl stəυs s/

noun the presence of erythroblasts in the blood, usually found in haemolytic anaemia

COMMENT: Usually erythroblastosis occurs where the mother is rhesus negative and has developed rhesus positive antibodies, which are passed into the blood of a rhesus positive fetus.

erythroblastosis fetalis / r θrəυblstəυs s fi tɑ l s/ noun a blood disease af-

fecting newborn babies, caused by a reaction between the rhesus factor of the mother and

the fetus

erythrocyanosis / r θrəsa ə nəυs s/ noun red and purple patches on the skin of the thighs, often accompanied by chilblains and made worse by cold

erythrocyte / r θrəsa t/ noun a mature red blood cell

‘…anemia may be due to insufficient erythrocyte production, in which case the corrected reticulocyte count will be low, or it may be due to hemorrhage or hemolysis, in which cases there should be reticulocyte response’ [Southern Medical Journal]

erythrocyte sedimentation rate / r θrə sa t sed men te ʃ(ə)n re t/ noun a test that

measures how fast erythrocytes settle in a sample of blood plasma, used to confirm whether various blood conditions are present. Abbr

ESR

erythrocytosis / r θrəsa təυs s/ noun an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood

erythroderma / r θrə d! mə/ noun a condition in which the skin becomes red and flakes off

erythroedema / r θrɔ di mə/ noun same as acrodynia

erythrogenesis / r θrə d enəs s/, erythropoiesis / r θrəpɔ i s s/ noun the formation

of red blood cells in red bone marrow erythromelalgia / r θrəmel ld ə/ noun a painful swelling of blood vessels in the extremities

erythromycin / r θrə ma s n/ noun a antibacterial drug suitable for people who are sensitive to penicillin

erythropenia / r θrə pi niə/ noun a condition in which a person has a low number of erythrocytes in their blood

erythroplasia / r θrə ple ziə/ noun the formation of lesions on the mucous membrane erythropoiesis / r θrəpɔ i s s/ noun same as erythrogenesis

erythropoietin / r θrə pɔ ət n/ noun a hormone which regulates the production of red blood cells

COMMENT: Erythropoietin can now be produced by genetic techniques and is being used to increase the production of red blood cells in anaemia.

erythropsia / er θrɒpsiə/ noun a condition in which someone sees things as if coloured red

Esbach’s albuminometer / esbɑ ks l bju m nɒm tə/ noun a glass for measuring albumin in urine, using Esbach’s method eschar / eskɑ / noun a dry scab, e.g. one forming on a burn

escharotic / eskə rɒt k/ noun a substance which produces an eschar

Escherichia / eʃə r kiə/ noun a bacterium

commonly found in faeces

Escherichia coli /eʃə r kiə kəυla / noun a Gram-negative bacterium associated with

acute gastroenteritis. Also called E. coli escort nurse / eskɔ t n! s/ noun a nurse who goes with patients to the operating theatre and back again to the ward

Esmarch’s bandage / esmɑ ks b nd d / noun a rubber band wrapped round a limb as a tourniquet before a surgical operation and left in place during the operation so as to keep the site free of blood [Described 1869. After Johann Friedrich August von Esmarch (1823–

1908), Professor of Surgery at Kiel, Germany.] esophagus /i sɒfə&əs/ noun US spelling of

oesophagus

esotropia /esə trəυpiə/ noun a type of squint, where the eyes both look towards the nose. Also called convergent strabismus espundia / spu ndiə/ leishmaniasis

ESR abbr erythrocyte sedimentation rate ESRD abbr end-stage renal disease

essence / es(ə)ns/ noun a concentrated oil from a plant, used in cosmetics, and sometimes as analgesics or antiseptics

essential / senʃəl/ adjective 1. extremely important It is essential to keep accurate records. 2. necessary for health essential nutrients 3. without obvious cause essential hypertension Also called idiopathic 4. extracted from a plant essential oil

essential amino acid / senʃəl ə mi nəυs d/ noun an amino acid which is necessary for growth but which cannot be synthesised in the body and has to be obtained from the food supply

COMMENT: The essential amino acids are: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

essential dysmenorrhoea / senʃəl d s menə ri ə/ noun same as primary dysmenor-

rhoea

essential element / senʃəl el mənt/ noun a chemical element which is necessary to the body’s growth or function, e.g. carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen

essential fatty acid / senʃəl f ti s d/ noun an unsaturated fatty acid which is necessary for growth and health. Abbr EFA

COMMENT: The essential fatty acids are linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. essential hyperkinesia / senʃəl ha pək ni ziə/ noun a condition of children where their movements are excessive and repeated

essential hypertension / senʃəl ha pətenʃən/ noun high blood pressure without any

obvious cause

essential oil / senʃəl ɔ l/ noun a medicinal or fragrant oil distilled from some part of a plant

essential tremor / senʃəl tremə/ noun an involuntary slow trembling movement of the hands often seen in elderly people

essential uterine haemorrhage / senʃəlju təra n hem(ə)r d / noun heavy uterine

bleeding for which there is no obvious cause estrogen / i strəd ən/ noun US same as oes-

trogen