Copy of `Dorland's Medical Dictionary`

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Dorland's Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 31/12/2010, USA Words: 39128

ego analysis
in psychoanalytic treatment, the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the ego, especially its defense mechanisms against unacceptable unconscious impulses.

ego ideal
the component of the superego containing the internalized image of what one desires to become, which the ego strives to attain. It is formed through conscious or unconscious identification with a person who plays a significant role or has a place of esteem in the life of the developing child, or through emulation of such ...

ego-dystonic
(e″go-dis-ton´ik) denoting aspects of a person's thoughts, impulses, attitudes, and behavior that are felt to be repugnant, distressing, unacceptable, or inconsistent with the rest of the personality. See also ego-syntonic.

ego-syntonic
(e″go-sin-ton´ik) denoting aspects of a person's thoughts, impulses, attitudes, and behavior that are felt to be acceptable and consistent with the rest of the personality. See also ego-dystonic.

egobronchophony
(e″go-brong-kof´ә-ne) egophony.

egocentric
(e″go-sen´trik) self-centered, conceited, egotistical; preoccupied with one's own interests and needs; lacking concern for others.

egoism
(e´go-iz-әm) any of several ethical doctrines describing relationships between morality, self-interest and behavior. excessive preoccupation with oneself, self-interest with disregard for the needs of others. egotism.

egomania
(e″go-ma´ne-ә) extreme self-centeredness; extreme egotism.

egophony
(e-gof´ә-ne) increased resonance of voice sounds, with a high-pitched bleating quality, heard especially over lung tissue compressed by pleural effusion; called also egobronchophony.

egotism
(e´go-tiz-әm) conceit, selfishness, self-centeredness, with an inflated sense of one's importance. egoism (def. 2).

Egyptian ophthalmia
trachoma.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
(a´lәrz dahn-los´) a group of inherited disorders of the connective tissue, classified into six different types that vary in heritability, symptoms, and severity. The major manifestations include skin that is abnormally elastic; joints that bend too easily into extension; a tendency to bruise too easily; tissues t...

Eichhorst atrophy
the femorotibial form of progressive muscular atrophy with contraction of the toes.

eidetic
(i-det´ik) denoting exact visualization of events or objects previously seen; a person having such an ability.

eidoptometry
(i″dop-tom´ә-tre) measurement of the acuteness of visual perception.

Eikenella
(i″kәn-el´ә) a genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria with a single species, E. corro´dens. Organisms are part of the normal flora of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, but may cause infections of the head, neck, and abdominal area, and general systemic disease.

einsteinium
(Es) (īn-sti´ne-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 99, atomic weight 254.

Einthoven triangle
an imaginary equilateral triangle with the heart at its center, formed by the axes of the three bipolar limb leads.

Einthoven's law
(īnt´ho-venz) if electrocardiograms are taken simultaneously with the three limb leads, at any given instant the potential in lead II is equal to the sum of the potentials in leads I and III.

Eisenmenger syndrome
(i´sәn-meng″әr) ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension and cyanosis due to right-to-left (reversed) shunt of blood. Sometimes defined as pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary vascular disease) and cyanosis, with the shunt being at the atrial, ventricular, or great vessel area.

ejaculatio
(e-jak″u-la´she-o) Latin word meaning ejaculation. ejaculatio praecox premature ejaculation.

ejaculation
(e-jak″u-la´shәn) forcible, sudden expulsion; especially expulsion of semen from the male urethra, a reflex action that occurs as a result of sexual stimulation. adj., ejac´ulatory., adj. premature ejaculation ejaculation consistently occurring either prior to, ...

ejaculation center
a reflex center in the lumbar spinal cord that regulates ejaculation of semen during sexual stimulation.

ejaculatory duct
the duct formed by union of the ductus deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicles, opening into the prostatic urethra on the colliculus seminalis.

ejection murmur
a systolic murmur heard predominantly in midsystole, when ejection volume and velocity of blood flow are at their maximum; it is produced by ejection of blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta.

ejection period
the second phase of ventricular systole (0.21 to 0.30 sec), between the opening and closing of the semilunar valves, while the blood is discharged into the aorta and pulmonary artery. Called also sphygmic period.

ejection sounds
high-pitched clicking sounds heard in septal defects just after the first heart sound, attributed to sudden distention of a dilated pulmonary artery or aorta or to forceful opening of the pulmonic or aortic cusps.

Ekbom syndrome
(ek´bom) restless legs syndrome.

EKC
epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

EKG
electrocardiogram.

Ekman syndrome
(ek´mahn) Ekman-Lobstein syndrome (ek´mahn lōb´shtīn) osteogenesis imperfecta (type I).

EKY
electrokymogram.

elaborate
(e-lab´o-rāt) to produce complex substances out of simpler materials.

elaboration
(e-lab″ә-ra´shәn) the process of producing complex substances out of simpler materials. in psychiatry, an unconscious mental process of expansion and embellishment of detail, especially of a symbol or representation in a dream.

elapid
(el´ә-pid) pertaining to the members of a family of pit vipers that includes the genera Micruroides and Micrurus. any of the members of this group.

elastance
(e-las´tәns) the quality of recoiling on removal of pressure without disruption, or an expression of the measure of the ability to do so in terms of unit of volume change per unit of pressure change; it is the reciprocal of compliance.

elastase
(e-las´tās) an enzyme capable of catalyzing the digestion of elastic tissue.

elastic
(e-las´tik) capable of resuming normal shape after distortion.

elastic arteries
conducting arteries.

elastic cartilage
cartilage that is more opaque, flexible, and elastic than hyaline cartilage, and is further distinguished by its yellow color. The ground substance is penetrated in all directions by frequently branching fibers that give all of the reactions for elastin.

elastic fibers
yellowish fibers of elastic quality traversing the intercellular substance of connective tissue.

elastic tissue
connective tissue made up of yellow elastic fibers, frequently massed into sheets.

elastic traction
traction by an elastic force or by means of an elastic appliance.

elasticity
(e″las-tis´ĭ-te) the quality of being elastic.

elastin
(e-las´tin) a yellow scleroprotein, the essential constituent of elastic connective tissue; it is brittle when dry, but flexible and elastic when moist.

elastofibroma
(e-las″to-fi-bro´mә) a tumor consisting of both elastin and fibrous elements, usually found in the subscapular region of an older adult; these are often fibrous reactions to injury.

elastoid degeneration
amyloid degeneration of the elastic tissue of arteries.

elastolysis
(e″las-tol´ә-sis) a defect in the elastic tissue, resulting in atrophy and laxity of the skin. See also anetoderma, atrophoderma, and cutis laxa.

elastoma
(e″las-to´mә) a local tumorlike excess of elastic tissue fibers or abnormal collagen fibers of the skin.

elastometer
(e″las-tom´ә-tәr) an instrument for measuring the elasticity of tissues.

elastorrhexis
(e-las″to-rek´sis) a rupture of fibers composing elastic tissue.

elastosis
(e″las-to´sis) degeneration of elastic tissue. degenerative changes in the dermal connective tissue with increased amounts of material that has staining properties of elastin. any disturbance of the dermal connective tissue.

elastosis perforans serpiginosa
(e″las-to´sis pur´fә-ranz sur″pĭ-jĭ-no´sә) an elastic tissue defect, occurring alone or in association with other disorders such as Down syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, in which elastomas are extruded through small keratotic papules in the epidermis; the lesions are usually arranged in a...

elastotic
(e″las-tot´ik) pertaining to or characterized by elastosis. resembling elastic tissue; having the staining properties of elastin.

elation
(e-la´shәn) emotional excitement marked by acceleration of mental and bodily activity, with extreme joy and an overly optimistic attitude even in the face of negative circumstances.

Elavil
(el´ә-vil) trademark for preparations of amitriptyline hydrochloride, a tricyclic antidepressant.

elbow
(el´bo) the bend in the upper limb between the arm and forearm; see also elbow joint. any angular bend. tennis elbow a term often used for bursitis of the elbow but more accurately referring to tendinitis felt in the outer aspect of the elbow due to inflammation of ...

elbow block
regional anesthesia of the forearm and hand by injection of local anesthetic around the median, radial, and ulnar nerves at the elbow.

elbow jerk
involuntary flexion of the elbow on striking the tendon of the biceps or triceps muscle.

elbow joint
a hinge joint in the upper limb between the humerus, ulna, and radius. See also elbow.

elbow reflex
triceps reflex.

elbowed catheter
a catheter bent at an angle near the beak, used in cases of enlarged prostate. Called also prostatic catheter.

elder abuse
mistreatment of an older adult, ranging from passive neglect of needs to overt mental, physical, or sexual assault.

elderly
(el´der-le) aged. frail elderly individuals over 65 years old who have functional impairments; occasionally used to denote any adult over 75 years old.

Electra complex
libidinous fixation of a daughter toward her father. This term is now rarely used, since Oedipus complex is generally applied to both sexes.

electric anesthesia
anesthesia induced by passage of an electric current.

electric burn
electrical burn one caused by the heat of an electric current; it may be either a flash burn or a contact burn.

electric cataract
a cataract occurring after an electric shock, especially to the head. Anterior subcapsular cataracts may form and develop within days after a severe shock; slowly developing or stationary opacities may follow a shock not on the head.

electric cradle
a tunnel- or hood-shaped cradle equipped with light bulbs, for applications of heat to the patient's body. Called also heat cradle.

electric current
the stream of electricity that moves along a conductor; it is due to a difference of potential between two points, this difference being measured in volts. The volume of flow depends on the difference of potential and the resistance to be overcome and is measured in amperes. The quantity of current is measured in coulombs.

electric potential
electrical potential potential (def. 2).

electric shock
shock caused by electric current passing through the body. The longer the contact with electricity, the greater the possibility of death from electrocution.

electric tension
electromotive force.

electrical ablation
fulguration; the term is used particularly to describe destruction of areas of myocardial tissue in the treatment of tachyarrhythmias.

electrical axis of heart
the preponderant direction of current flow through the heart, a consequence of the electromotive forces within the heart. It may be computed on either an instantaneous basis or a mean basis.

electricity
(e-lek-tris´ĭ-te) a form of energy consisting of oppositely charged electrons and protons; it produces light, heat, magnetism, and chemical changes. adj., elec´tric, elec´tical., adj. electric current.

electro-oculogram
(e-lek″tro-ok´u-lo-gram″) the electroencephalographic tracings made while moving the eyes a constant distance between two fixation points, inducing a deflection of fairly constant amplitude. Abbreviated EOG.

electro-olfactogram
(EOG) (e-lek″tro-ol-fak´to-gram) a recording of changes in electric potential detected by an electrode placed on the surface of the olfactory mucosa as the mucosa is subjected to an odorous stimulus.

electroaffinity
(e-lek″tro-ә-fin´ĭ-te) electronegativity.

electroanalgesia
(e-lek″tro-an″әl-je´ze-ә) the reduction of pain by electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve or the dorsal column of the spinal cord.

electrocardiogram
(ECG, EKG) (e-lek″tro-kahr´de-o-gram″) the record produced by electrocardiography; a tracing representing the heart's electrical action derived by amplification of the minutely small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart. The normal electrocardiogram has three components:...

electrocardiograph
(e-lek″tro-kahr´de-o-graf″) the apparatus used in electrocardiography.

electrocardiography
(e-lek″tro-kahr″de-og´rә-fe) the graphic recording from the body surface of the electric potential of currents generated by the heart, as a means of studying the action of the heart muscle. See also electrocardiogram. adj., electrocardiograph´ic., adj.

electrocautery
(e-lek″tro-kaw´tәr-e) an apparatus for surgical dissection and hemostasis, using heat generated by a high-voltage, high-frequency alternating current passed through an electrode. the cauterization of tissue using such an instrument. bipolar electrocautery a...

electrochemical cell
an apparatus consisting of two half-cells, each containing a solution in which an electrode is placed, connected by a salt bridge or semipermeable membrane. A voltaic cell is one in which chemical reactions occurring at the electrodes supply a voltage to an external circuit; an electrolytic cell is one in which an applied...

electrochemistry
(e-lek″tro-kem´is-tre) the study of the relationships and transformations between chemical and electrical energy.

electrocoagulation
(e-lek″tro-ko-ag″u-la´shәn) a type of electrosurgery by which tissue is coagulated using a modulated alternating current; it can also be used for hemorrhage control.

electrocochleogram
(e-lek″tro-kok´le-o-gram) the record obtained by electrocochleography.

electrocochleography
(e-lek″tro-kok″le-og´rә-fe) measurement of electric potentials of the eighth cranial nerve in response to acoustic stimuli applied by an electrode to the external acoustic canal, promontory, or tympanic membrane.

electrocontractility
(e-lek″tro-kon″trak-til´ĭ-te) contractility in response to electric stimulation.

electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) (e-lek″tro-kon-vul´siv) a treatment for mental disorders in which an electric current is used to produce convulsions. It is used primarily to treat depression or the depressive phase of bipolar disorder; it has also been used to treat some forms of schizophrenia and acute mania. This method ...

electrocorticography
(e-lek″tro-kor″tĭ-kog´rә-fe) electroencephalography with the electrodes applied directly to the cerebral cortex.

electrocution
(e-lek″tro-ku´shәn) the taking of life by passage of electric current through the body.

electrode
(e-lek´trōd) either of two terminals of an electrically conducting system or cell; specifically, the uninsulated portion of a lead that is in direct contact with the body.

electrode catheter
a cardiac catheter containing one or more electrodes; it may be used to pace the heart or to deliver high-energy shocks.

electrodermal
(e-lek″tro-dur´mәl) pertaining to the electrical properties of the skin, especially to changes in its resistance.

electrodermal activity therapy
a type of biofeedback therapy in which sensors attached to the palm or the palmar aspect of the fingers are used to monitor sweat output in response to stress; used in the treatment of stress, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and hyperhidrosis.

electrodesiccation
(e-lek″tro-des″ĭ-ka´shәn) a type of electrosurgery that desiccates tissue by dehydration, using a spark gap type of generator to produce a highly or moderately damped alternating current. It is usually used to remove small superficial growths on the skin.

electrodialyzer
(e-lek″tro-di´ә-li″zәr) a blood dialyzer utilizing an applied electric field and semipermeable membranes for separating the colloids from the solution.

electroejaculation
(e-lek″tro-e-jak″u-la´shәn) electrical stimulation via the rectum to produce an ejaculation of semen; this is commonly used for spinal cord injury or testicular cancer patients who cannot ejaculate and are attempting artificial insemination. It may also be used for those with abdominal injuries, multip...