Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «E»:
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Epilepsy, Jacksonian
Epilepsy, Jacksonian:A brief alteration in movement,
sensation or nerve function caused by abnormal electrical activity in
a localized area of the brain. Seizures of this type typically cause no change in awareness or alertness. They are transient, fleeting, ephemeral.
Jacksonian seizures are extr...
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Epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic
Epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic: A form of epilepsy
that occurs between the ages of eight and 26, most commonly
in the teenage years. It is characterized by jerking
(myoclonic) movements of the arms and upper torso, without
loss of consciousness. Seizures are most likely to occur
while awakening f...
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Epilepsy, partial
Epilepsy, partial: A seizure that affects only one
part of the brain. Symptoms will depend on which part is
affected: one part of the body, or multiple body parts
confined to one side of the body, may start to twitch
uncontrollably. Partial epilepsy seizures may involve head turning,
eye moveme...
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Epilepsy, petit mal
Epilepsy, petit mal: See: Petit mal....
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Epilepsy, temporal lobe
Epilepsy, temporal lobe: See: Epilepsy, temporal-lobe....
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Epinephrine
Epinephrine: A substance produced by the
medulla (inside) of the adrenal gland. The name epinephrine was coined in 1898 by the
American pharmacologist and physiologic chemist (biochemist) John Jacob Abel who isolated
it from the adrenal gland which is located above (epi-) the kidney ("nephros&q...
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Epiphenomenon
Epiphenomenon: 1. An additional symptom or condition that appears during the course of a disease. A doctor might ask if you have noticed any epiphenomena recently as a way of inquiring as to whether you have experienced additional symptoms or signs of illness.
2. Any occurrence that is accidental, a...
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Epiphysis
Epiphysis: The growth area near the end of a bone.
...
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Epiretinal membrane
Epiretinal membrane: See: Macular pucker....
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Episclera
Episclera: A thin membrane that covers the sclera (the
white of the eye).
"Epi-" is a prefix from the Greek that means "on, upon, at, by,
near, over, on top of, toward, against, among." Episclera = on top of
the sclera....
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Episcleritis
Episcleritis: Inflammation of the episclera, a thin
membrane that covers the sclera (the white of the eye). Episcleritis
is typically benign, easily treated with topical antiinflammatory
drops, and usually soon resolved....
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Episiotomy
Episiotomy: A surgical procedure for widening the
outlet of the birth canal to facilitate delivery of the baby and to
avoid a jagged rip of the perineum (the area between the anus and the
vulva, the opening to the vagina).
During an episiotomy, an incision is made between the vagina and
the
rec...
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Epispadias
Epispadias: Congenital (at birth) malformation in which
the opening of the urethra (from whence comes the urinary stream) is on the dorsum
(topside) of the penis. Hypospadias is the corresponding malformation in which the opening
of the urethra is on the ventral surface (underside) of the penis....
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Epistaxis
Epistaxis: Medical term for nosebleed. The
nose is a
part of the body that is very rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is
situated in a
vulnerable position on the face. As a result, any trauma to the face
can cause bleeding
which may be profuse. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the
nasal...
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Epistaxis, treatment of
Epistaxis, treatment of: To stop epistaxis (a
nosebleed), you should: 1. Pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your
thumb and index finger. 2. Press firmly toward the face - compressing the pinched parts of
the nose against the bones of the face. 3. Hold the nose for at least 5 minu...
