Word Part | Definition |
Eaerosols | A liquid or particulate solution dispensed as a mist. |
ear | The hearing and equilibrium system of the body. Sound vibration is transduced to nerve signals that pass through the acoustic nerve to the central nervous system. The inner ear contains the vestibular organ that responsible for equilibrium. |
earache | Pain in the ear. |
EBL | estimated blood loss |
ebola virus | A virus causing acute, often fatal, infections. Transmitted from animals to humans and from human to human. |
ebstein anomaly | A congenital heart defect characterized by third and fourth heart sounds and a systolic murmur best heard at the tricuspid position. The tricuspid valve is displaced downward and the right atrium is usually enlarged. |
EBV | Epstein-Barr virus |
ec- | outside, out |
ecchymosis | Discolored skin due to subcutaneous bleeding larger than 1cm. Commonly called a bruise. |
eccrine glands | Simple sweat glands that secrete sweat directly onto the skin. |
ECF | extended care facility |
ECG | electrocardiogram |
echin/o | spiny, prickly |
ECHO | echocardiography |
echo- | reflected sound |
echocardiography | A noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound to study to structure and motions of the heart and blood flow. |
echoencephalography | The use of ultrasound waves to study brain structures. |
echolalia | The automatic and meaningless repetition of another person's spoken words. |
eclampsia | A toxic disorder characterized by convulsions and possibly coma during or immediately after pregnancy |
ECMO | extracorporeal membrane oxygenation |
eco- | environment |
ecotype | A subspecies that is genetically adapted to a particular habitat. |
ECT | electroconvulsive therapy |
-ectasis | dilation, stretching |
ecto- | out, outward |
ectomorph | A slender, lean body type. |
-ectomy | removal, excision |
ectopic beats | Heartbeat electrical impulses generated from cardiac locations other than the SA node. |
ectopic pregnancy | When a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. |
ectr/o | congenital absence |
ectropion | A condition where the lower eyelid droops away from the eye and turns outwards. |
eczema | Inflammation of the skin. Multiple causes. |
ED | emergency department |
ED (2) | erectile dysfunction |
EDD | estimated date of delivery |
edema | Swelling due to excess fluid in the body's tissues. |
-edema | swelling |
EEG | electroencephalogram |
EENT | eye, ear, nose, and throat |
EF | ejection fraction |
efferent pathways | The route of nerve structures carrying impulses away from a nerve center toward a peripheral site. |
effusion | The escape of fluid. |
EGD | esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
EGF | epidermal growth factor |
egg | A female reproductive cell prior to fertilization. |
ego | The part of a person that is conscious and thinks. The self. |
EIA | exercise-induced asthma |
eidetic | Pertaining to the ability to accurately visualize events or objects from experience. |
ejaculation | The sudden emission of semen from the male urethra. |
ejection click | A sharp clicking sound heard during cardiac auscultation. |
ejection fraction | The portion of the total ventricular filling volume that is ejected during a heart beat. |
EKG | electrocardiogram |
elasticity | Resistance and recovery from distortion of shape. |
elation | The feeling of euphoria, excitement, joyfulness, satisfaction and optimism. |
elbow joint | A hinge joint connecting the forearm to the arm. |
ele/o | oil |
electric impedance | The measure of the opposition that a circuit presents to a current when a voltage is applied. |
electro/o | electricity |
electrocardiogram | A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. Within each heartbeat, electrical waves travel through the heart. For a normally functioning heart, the P wave indicates atrial contraction, then after a short pause, the QRS complex indicates ventricular contraction and then a T wave marks the relaxation of the ventricles. EKGs are recorded on a chart paper, displayed on a monitor or digitally captured. |
electrocardiography | The process of recording the electrical activity of the heart. |
electrochemistry | The study of combined electrical and chemical activity and changes. |
electrode | A conductor through which electric current enters or leaves a non-metallic medium. |
electroencephalography | A test to measure the electrical activity of the brain. |
electrolysis | Destruction by using a galvanic electric current. |
electrolyte | A substances that dissociates into two or more ions and can then conduct an electric current. |
electrolytes | Minerals in the blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. |
electromyography | A test of the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles. |
electron | A stable elementary particle in orbit around an atom's nucleus. |
electrophoresis | The movement of charged particles in an electric field toward an electric pole. |
electrophysiology | The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms. |
electroplating | Coating with a metal or alloy by electrolysis. |
elements | Each of more than one hundred substances that cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances and are primary constituents of matter. |
elephantiasis | A condition characterized by gross enlargement of an area of the body, |
elimination | Removal of waste products from the body. |
ELISA | enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay |
elix | elixir |
elliptocytosis | Condition of having an abnormal number of elliptical red cells in the blood. |
elutriation | The removal, by means of a suitable solvent, of one material from another. |
Em | emmetropia |
emaciation | Abnormal thinness caused by disease or a lack of nutrition. |
embalming | Process of preserving a dead body to protect it from decay. |
embolectomy | An emergency surgical removal of an obstructing clot or foreign material. |
embolism | A blood vessel blockage by a blood clot or other undissolved material in the bloodstream. |
embryo | Any organism in the earliest stages of development. |
embryo- | related to embryo |
embryology | The study of the development of an organism during the embryonic and fetal stages of life. |
-emesis | vomiting |
emetics | Pertaining to or causing vomiting. |
EMG | electromyography |
-emia | condition of the blood |
emmetr/o | correct measure |
emmetropia | A state when rays are focused correctly on the retina of a relaxed eye. |
emotion | Any state of arousal in response to external events or memories. |
emphysema | A chronic lung disease characterized by decreased numbers of alveoli and eventual destruction of alveoli walls. Caused by genetic defects and smoking. |
empyema | Presence of pus in a hollow organ or body cavity. Abscess. |
EMS | emergency medical service |
en- | in, within |
enanti/o | opposed, opposite |
enarthrosis | A ball and socket joint. |
encephal/o | brain |
encephalitis | A inflammation of the brain. Symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting, stiff neck and lethargy. |
encopresis | The loss of the ability to control bowel movements. |
end- | within, inner |
endarterectomy | A surgical procedure to remove the plaque material in the lining of an artery. |
endarterial | Relating to the interior lining of the artery. |
endarteritis | Inflammation of the inner endothelial lining of an artery. |
endemic | Present or usually prevalent in a population or geographical area at all times. |
endo- | within |
endocardi/o | endocardium (inner lining of the heart) |
endocardial | Situated or occurring within the heart. |
endocarditis | Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chamber and valves. Usually caused by bacterial infection. |
endocardium | The innermost layer of the heart, consisting of endothelial cells. |
endocervicitis | Inflammation of the mucous lining of the uterine cervix. |
endocrine system | The system of glands that release their secretions (hormones) directly into the circulatory system. |
endocrinology | A subspecialty of internal medicine concerned with the metabolism, physiology, and disorders of the endocrine system. |
endoderm | The inner of the three germ layers of an embryo. |
endometri/o | endometrium (mucous membrane lining the uterus) |
endometriosis | A painful, chronic disease where the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside it. May spread anywhere in the abdominal cavity. |
endometrium | The mucous membrane comprising the inner layer of the uterine wall. |
endomorph | A body type that is relatively soft and round. |
endophytic | Pertaining to the tendency to grow inward |
endorphin | A natural substance produced in the brain that binds to opioid receptors, dulling pain perception. |
endoscope | An instrument for the visual examination of interior structures of the body. |
endothelioma | A tumor arising from the endothelial lining of blood vessels. |
endothelium | A layer of epithelium that lines the heart, blood vessels, lymph vessels and the serous cavities of the body. |
endovascular procedures | Within a blood vessel. |
enema | A solution or compound that is introduced into the rectum with the purpose of cleansing the colon or for diagnostic procedures. |
ENT | ear, nose, and throat |
ent- | within, inside |
enter/o | small intestines |
enteritis | Inflammation of any segment of the small intestine. |
enterocolitis | Inflammation of the mucous membrane of both small and large intestines. |
enterocytes | Columnar cells of the small intestine responsible for the final digestion and absorption of nutrients, electrolytes and water. |
enterostomy | Creation of an artificial external opening or fistula in the intestines. |
entropion | The eyelid is rolled inward toward the eye. |
enuresis | Involuntary discharge of urine after completed development of urinary control. |
enzyme | Any protein that acts as a catalyst, |
EOM | extraocular muscles |
eos | eosinophil |
eosin/o | rose-colored |
eosinophils | A type of white blood cell. A granulocyte often increased with allergies and/or parasite infections. |
ependyma | A thin membrane that lines the cerebral ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. |
ephemera | Printed matter of passing interest. |
epi- | above, on, following |
epicardium | The inner layer of the pericardium, covering the heart. |
epicondylitis | Tennis elbow. Occurs from partial or complete tears of the tendons of the forearm, or from overuse, a strain. |
epidemic | An rapid, widespread outbreak of a contagious disease. |
epidemiology | Field of medicine concerned with the determination of causes, incidence, and characteristic behavior of disease outbreaks affecting human populations. |
epidermis | The superficial avascular layers of the skin, |
epididym/o | epididymis (structure within the scrotum that stores sperm) |
epididymis | The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the testis. |
epididymitis | Inflammation of the epididymis. |
epidural | On or over the dura mater. |
epidural anesthesia | A regional anesthesia that blocks pain. |
epiglott/o | epiglottis (cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea) |
epiglottis | Cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea. |
epiglottitis | Inflammation of the epiglottis. |
epilation | Removal of a hair by its roots. |
epilepsy | A general term for conditions with recurring seizures. |
epimysium | The fibrous connective tissue surrounding a skeletal muscle. |
epinephrine | A hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands. Commonly called adrenaline. |
epineural | On a neural arch of a vertebra. |
epineurium | The sheath of a peripheral nerve. |
epiphora | Overflow of tears due to obstruction of the lacrimal duct. |
episclera | The loose connective tissue between the sclera and the conjunctiva. |
episcleritis | An inflammation of the sclera, causing redness of the eye. |
episi/o | vulva |
episiotomy | An incision made in the perineum to widens the opening of the vagina during childbirth. |
epispadias | A birth defect due to malformation of the urethra. |
epistaxis | Nose bleed. |
epitheli/o | epithelium |
epithelial cells | Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers or masses. |
epithelium | layers of cells that line hollow organs and glands. It is also those cells that make up the outer surface of the body |
epitope | Any site on an antigen that interact with specific antibodies. |
EPO | erythropoietin |
eponym | The name of a disease, procedure or body structure that is based upon the name of the discoverer. |
epulis | A swelling on the gum. |
µEq | microequivalent |
equi- | equal |
ER | Emergency Room, |
ERBF | effective renal blood flow |
ERCP | endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
erectile dysfunction | The consistent inability in the male to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Impotence. |
erethism/o | irritation |
erg- | work |
ergo- | work, energy |
ergometry | Measuring the amount of work done by an organism. |
ergonomics | Design work that reduces stress and eliminates injuries associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture and repeated tasks. |
eructation | To belch. |
ERV | expiratory reserve volume |
erysipelas | An acute infection of the skin characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, and purplish raised lesions. |
erythema | Redness of the skin that results from capillary congestion. |
erythr/o | red |
erythrasma | A chronic bacterial infection of major folds of the skin. |
erythroblast | A nucleated immature red blood cell found in bone marrow. |
erythrocyt/o | red blood cell |
erythrocytes | Cells that contains hemoglobin and that can transport oxygen to body tissues. Commonly called red blood cells. |
erythroderma | An intense and usually widespread reddening of the skin. |
erythroid | Reddish color. |
erythromelalgia | A rare peripheral arterial disorder occurring in middle aged patients characterized by severe burning pain, reddening, hyperalgesia and sweating of the extremities. |
erythroplasia | Dysplasia and erythema of the epithelium |
eschar | A dry scab formed on the skin following a burn or cauterization of the skin |
eschar/o | scab |
eso- | inward |
esophag/o | esophagus |
esophageal achalasia | Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, resulting in functional obstruction of the esophagus, and dysphagia. |
esophageal varices | Abnormally dilated veins of the esophagus. High risk of spontaneous bleeding. Associated with alcohol abuse. |
esophagitis | Inflammation of the esophagus. |
esophagus | The muscular membranous passage between the pharynx and the stomach in the upper gastrointestinal tract. |
esotropia | An inward turning of one or both eyes. |
ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
ESRD | end-stage renal disease |
EST | electroshock therapy |
esthes/o | nerve sensation, feeling |
-esthesia | sensation, feeling |
estrogen | Hormones that are important for sexual and reproductive development in females. |
ethnology | Cultural anthropology. |
ethology | Pertaining to the study of animal behavior. |
eti/o | cause |
ETU | emergency trauma unit |
eu- | normal, good |
eukaryota | One of the three domains of life (along with bacteria and archaea). Organisms whose cells are enclosed in membranes and possess a nucleus. Also called Eukarya. |
euphoria | A strong feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being. |
eury- | wide, broad |
eustachian tube | A narrow canal extending from the middle ear to the pharynx. |
euthanasia | The practice of killing someone painlessly, to relieve suffering from an incurable illness. Mercy killing. |
ex- | out, away from |
exanthem | A widespread rash that is usually accompanied by symptoms that include fever, malaise and headache. |
exanthema | Eruption on the skin occurring as a symptom of a disease |
excise | To cut out a tumor, tissue or organ. |
excision | Removal of tissue using a scalpel. |
excoriation | An abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off |
exfoliation | To remove a layer of skin. |
exfoliative dermatitis | A widespread scaling of the skin, often with itching (pruritus), skin redness (erythroderma), and hair loss. |
exhalation | Breathing out. |
exhumation | Removal of a dead body from the earth after burial. |
exo- | outside, outward |
exocrine glands | Glands of external secretion that release its secretions to the body's cavities, organs, or surface, through a duct. |
exogenous | Originating from outside |
exophthalmos | A bulging eyeball, associated with hyperthyroidism. |
exoskeleton | The exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals. |
exostoses | Abnormal bony outgrowth from the surface of a bone |
exotropia | One or both of the eyes turn outward. |
ext | exterior |
extensor | Any muscle that extends a limb or other body part. |
extirpation | Surgical removal of a body part or tissue |
extra- | outside of, beyond |
extraction | Surgical removal of a body part. |
eye | The organ of vision. |
eyebrow | The bony ridge extending over the eye and the row of hair located on it. |
eyelashes | The hairs which project from the edges of the eyelids. |
eyelids | Each of the upper and lower folds of skin which cover the eye when closed. |