Return to Word Parts Index

Medical Word Parts: e

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.