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

electroencephalogram
(EEG) (e-lek″tro-en-sef´ә-lo-gram″) the record produced by electroencephalography; a tracing of the electric impulses of the brain. Electroencephalogram. Recordings made while the subject was excited, relaxed, and in various stages of sleep. Durin...

electroencephalograph
(e-lek″tro-әn-sef´ә-lo-graf″) the instrument used in electroencephalography.

electroencephalographic waves
see brain waves.

electroencephalography
(e-lek″tro-әn-sef´ә-log´rә-fe) the recording of changes in electric potentials in various areas of the brain by means of electrodes placed on the scalp, on the brain surface, or within the brain itself, and connected to a vacuum tube radio amplifier, which amplifies the impulses more than a milli...

electrofulguration
(e-lek″tro-ful″gә-ra´shәn) a type of electrosurgery used to produce superficial desiccation of tissue.

electrogastrograph
(e-lek″tro-gas´tro-graf) an instrument for recording the electrical activity of the stomach by means of swallowed gastric electrodes.

electrogastrography
(e-lek″tro-gas-trog´rә-fe) the recording of the electrical activity of the stomach as measured between its lumen and the body surface. adj., electrogastrograph´ic., adj.

electrogenic
(e-lek″tro-jen´ik) pertaining to a physiological process that generates a significant current that directly contributes to the cell membrane potential.

electrogram
(e-lek´tro-gram) any record produced by changes in electric potential. specifically, a cardiogram taken from the chambers of the heart or from a specific position within the chambers. His bundle electrogram an intracardiac electrogram of potentials in the lower right atrium,...

electrogustometry
(e-lek″tro-gәs-tom´ә-tre) the testing of the sense of taste by application of galvanic stimuli to the tongue.

electrohydraulic lithotripsy
a method used for large calculi;; a high-capacity condenser creates a high-voltage spark between two electrodes at the tip of a probe; in a fluid-filled organ this creates a hydraulic shock wave that can be directed toward a calculus to cause it to break apart.

electrohysterography
(e-lek″tro-his″tәr-og´rә-fe) the recording of changes in electric potential associated with contractions of the uterine muscle.

electrokymogram
(e-lek″tro-ki´mo-gram) the record produced by electrokymography.

electrokymograph
(e-lek″tro-ki´mo-graf) the instrument used in electrokymography.

electrokymography
(e-lek″tro-ki-mog´rә-fe) the photography on x-ray film of the motion of the heart or of other moving structures which can be visualized radiographically.

electrolarynx
(e-lek″tro-lar´inks) artificial larynx.

electrolysis
(e″lek-trol´ә-sis) a chemical reaction caused by the passing of an electric current through a solution. a plastic surgery technique whereby tissue such as unwanted hair is destroyed by exposing it to an electric current. adj., electrolyt´ic., adj.

electrolyte
(e-lek´tro-līt) a chemical substance that, when dissolved in water or melted, dissociates into electrically charged particles (ions) and thus is capable of conducting an electric current. The principal positively charged ions in the body fluids (cations) are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The most important n...

electrolyte imbalance
serum concentrations of an electrolyte that are either higher or lower than normal.

electrolytic cell
an electrochemical cell to which voltage is applied to drive chemical reactions.

electromagnet
(e-lek″tro-mag´nәt) a temporary magnet made by passing an electric current through a coil of wire surrounding a core of soft iron or steel.

electromagnetic radiation
electromagnetic waves.

electromagnetic waves
energy, unassociated with matter, that is transmitted through space by means of waves. In all instances it travels at 3×1010 cm or 186,284 miles per second, but it ranges in length from 1011 cm (electrical waves) to 10−12 cm (cosmic rays). In between those two extremes, in order of decreasing wavelength, are radio waves, microw...

electromagnetism
(e-lek″tro-mag´nә-tiz-әm) magnetism developed by an electric current.

electromyogram
(e-lek″tro-mi´o-gram) the record obtained by electromyography.

electromyograph
(e-lek″tro-mi´o-graf) the instrument used in electromyography.

electromyography
(e-lek″tro-mi-og´rә-fe) the recording and study of the intrinsic electrical properties of skeletal muscle. When at rest, normal muscle is electrically silent, but when it is active, an electrical current is generated. adj., electromyograph´ic., adj.

electron
(e-lek´tron) any of the negatively charged particles arranged in orbits around the nucleus of an atom; electrons determine all of the atom's physical and chemical properties except mass and radioactivity. Electrons flowing in a conductor constitute an electric current; when ejected from a radioactive substance, they are beta ...

electron beam computed tomography
(EBCT) ultrafast computed tomography done with a scanner in which the patient is surrounded by a large circular anode that emits x-rays as the electron beam is guided around it.

electron microscope
one in which an electron beam, instead of light, forms an image for viewing, allowing much greater magnification and resolution. The image may be viewed on a fluorescent screen or may be photographed. Types include scanning and transmission electron microscopes.

electron radiography
radiography consisting of electronic images that can be computer enhanced, electronically reversed, stored, retrieved, transmitted, and/or printed on photographic film.

electron-dense
(e-lek´tron-dens″) in electron microscopy, having a density that prevents electrons from penetrating.

electronegative
(e-lek″tro-neg´ә-tiv) bearing a negative electric charge.

electronegativity
(e-lek″tro-neg″ә-tiv´ĭ-te) the relative power of an atom or molecule to attract electrons.

electroneurography
(e-lek″tro-ndbobr-rog´rә-fe) the measurement of the conduction velocity and latency of peripheral nerves.

electroneuromyography
(e-lek″tro-noor″o-mi-og´rә-fe) electromyography in which the nerve of the muscle under study is stimulated by application of an electric current.

electronic
(e″lek-tron´ik) pertaining to or carrying electrons.

electronic pacemaker
artificial pacemaker.

electronic thermometer
a clinical thermometer that uses a sensor based on thermistors, solid-state electronic devices whose electrical characteristics change with temperature. The reading is recorded within seconds, some having a red light or other device to indicate when maximum temperature is reached. Available models include hand-held, desk-...

electronystagmogram
(e-lek″tro-nis-tag´mo-gram) the record obtained by electronystagmography. a test done using electronystagmography, assessing the balance mechanism of the inner ear. It involves running a cool liquid and then a warm liquid through a tube within the ear canal; the change in temperature stimulates the i...

electronystagmograph
(e-lek″tro-nis-tag´mo-graf) the instrument used in electronystagmography; abbreviated ENG.

electronystagmography
(e-lek″tro-nis″tag-mog´rә-fe) graphic recordings of eye movements that provide objective documentation of induced and spontaneous nystagmus; see also electronystagmogram.

electropherogram
(e-lek″tro-fer´o-gram) electrophoretogram.

electrophile
(e-lek´tro-fīl) a chemical compound that serves as an electron acceptor in a chemical reaction. adj., electrophil´ic., adj.

electrophoresis
(e-lek″tro-fә-re´sis) the movement of charged particles suspended in a liquid on various media (such as paper, gel, or liquid) under the influence of an applied electric field. The charged particles of a particular substance migrate in a definite and characteristic direction (toward either the anode or...

electrophoretogram
(e-lek″tro-fә-ret´o-gram) the record produced on or in a supporting medium by bands of material which have been separated by the process of electrophoresis.

electrophrenic
(e-lek″tro-fren´ik) pertaining to electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve or diaphragm; see also electrophrenic respiration.

electrophrenic pacemaker
the device used in electrophrenic respiration; it converts radiofrequency signals into electrical impulses that stimulate the phrenic nerve, resulting in descent and flattening of the diaphragm and improved inhalation of air. Called also diaphragmatic or phrenic pacemaker.

electrophrenic respiration
induction of respiration by electric stimulation of the phrenic nerve; see electrophrenic pacemaker. Called also diaphragmatic or phrenic pacing.

electrophysiological studies
(EPS) studies done inside the heart on its electrical activation and response to electrical stimuli or drugs; these usually include intravenous or intra-arterial placement of one or more electrode catheters at sites in the atria, ventricles, or coronary sinus, and sometimes the pulmonary artery or aorta. The...

electropositive
(e-lek″tro-poz´ĭ-tiv) bearing a positive electric charge.

electroresection
(e-lek″tro-re-sek´shәn) excision by electrosurgical means; see also electrosection.

electroretinograph
(ERG) (e-lek″tro-ret´ĭ-no-graf) an instrument for measuring the electrical response of the retina to light stimulation; its basic component is a contact lens containing an electrode, which is placed on the surface of the eye. Electrical activity of the retina is magnified and recorded a...

electroscope
(e-lek´tro-skōp) an instrument for measuring radiation intensity.

electrosection
(e-lek″tro-sek´shәn) a type of electrosurgery used to cut into, plane, or remove tissue. The active electrode uses slightly damped, modulated undamped, or undamped currents and may be a knife blade, wire loop, or needle; the passive electrode is an adhesive dispersive pad.

electroshock therapy
electroconvulsive therapy.

electrostatic imaging
a method of visualizing deep structures of the body, in which an electron beam is passed through the patient and the emerging beam strikes an electrostatically charged plate, dissipating the charge according to the strength of the beam. A film is then made from the plate.

electrostatic units
(esu) that system of units that is based on the fundamental definition of a unit charge as one that will repel a similar charge with a force of 1 dyne when the two charges are 1 cm apart in a vacuum.

electrostimulation
(e-lek″tro-stim″u-la´shәn) electric stimulation of tissues.

electrostriatogram
(e-lek″tro-stri-āt´o-gram) an electroencephalogram showing differences in electric potential recorded at various levels of the corpus striatum.

electrosurgery
(e-lek″tro-sur´jәr-e) the use of high-frequency alternating current to remove, cut into, or destroy tissue, done by converting the electrical energy into heat because the tissue has resistance to the passage of the electrical current. There are four basic types of electrosurgery: electrodesiccation, el...

electrotaxis
(e-lek″tro-tak´sis) taxis in response to electric stimuli.

electrotherapy
(e-lek″tro-ther´ә-pe) treatment of disease by means of electricity; see also diathermy.

electrotonic
(e-lek″tro-ton´ik) pertaining to electrotonus. denoting the direct spread of current in tissues by electrical conduction, without the generation of new current by action potentials.

electrotonic synapse
a special type of gap junction found in tissue such as the myocardium.

electrotonus
(e-lek-trot´ә-nәs) the altered electrical state of an excitable cell when a constant electric current is passed through it; for example, the changes in membrane potential of excitable cells that cause a passive change in potential at every other point on the cell membrane.

electroureterography
(e-lek″tro-u-re″tәr-og´rә-fe) electromyography in which the action potentials produced by peristalsis of the ureter are recorded.

electrovalence
(e-lek″tro-va´lәns) the number of charges an atom acquires in a chemical reaction by gain or loss of electrons. the bonding resulting from such transfer of electrons. adj., electrova´lent., adj.

electroversion
(e-lek″tro-vur´zhәn) the act of electrically terminating a cardiac dysrhythmia.

electrovert
(e-lek´tro-vәrt) to apply electricity to the heart or precordium to depolarize the heart and terminate a cardiac dysrhythmia.

electuary
(e-lek´tu-ar″e) a medicinal preparation consisting of a powdered drug made into a paste with honey or syrup.

eledoisin
(el-ә-doi´sin) a decapeptide from the posterior salivary gland of a species of small octopus, Eledone; it is a precursor of a large group of biologically active peptides. It has vasodilator, hypotensive, and extravascular smooth muscle stimulant properties.

eleidin
(el-e´ĭ-din) a substance, allied to keratin, found in the cells of the stratum lucidum of the skin.

Elek test
toxigenicity test.

element
(el´ә-mәnt) any of the primary parts or constituents of something. in chemistry, a simple substance that cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means; elements are the basic components of which all matter is composed. Chemical elements are made up of atoms, each of which consists of a nucleu...

elemental diet
one consisting of a well-balanced, residue-free mixture of all essential and nonessential amino acids, as well as simple sugars, electrolytes, trace elements, and vitamins.

elementary body
inclusion body. the infectious extracellular form ofChlamydia and related bacteria. It consists of nuclear material and a few ribosomes surrounded by a rigid wall. Elementary bodies are taken up into cells where they reorganize into the intracellular form, known as reticulate bodies. Following reproduction, organi...

elementary cell
embryonic cell blastomere.

eleoma
(el″e-o´mә) a tumor or swelling caused by injection of oil into the tissues.

elephantiasis
(el″ә-fәn-ti´ә-sis) a type of secondary lymphedema that reaches massive proportions, with hypertrophy of the skin and subcutaneous tissues (pachyderma), usually of a lower limb or the scrotum, caused by chronic obstruction of lymphatic vessels. It is a filarial disease generally seen in the tropi...

elephantoid fever
a recurrent acute febrile condition occurring with filariasis, sometimes associated with elephantiasis or lymphangitis.

eletriptan
(el″ә-trip´tan) a selective serotonin receptor agonist, with actions similar to those of sumatriptan, used as the hydrobromide salt in the treatment of migraine; administered orally

elevator disease
a type of pneumoconiosis affecting persons who work in grain elevators.

elfin facies
facial features including wide-set eyes, low-set ears, and hirsutism; seen in children with congenital conditions such as leprechaunism and Williams syndrome.

elfin facies syndrome
Williams syndrome.

eliciting stimulus
any stimulus, conditioned or unconditioned, that elicits a response.

elimination
(e-lim″ĭ-na´shәn) discharge from the body of indigestible materials and of waste products of body metabolism; see defecation, urination, and clearance.

elimination diet
one for diagnosis of food allergy, based on omission of foods that might cause symptoms in the patient.

ELISA
(e-li´sә) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

elixir
(e-lik´sәr) a clear, sweetened, alcohol-containing, usually hydroalcoholic liquid containing flavoring substances and sometimes active medicinal ingredients.

Elixophyllin
(e-lik″so-fil´in) trademark for preparations of theophylline, a bronchodilator.

Elliot operation
(el´e-әt) sclerectomy by trephine.

Elliot position
a position used for abdominal surgery; the patient lies on the operating table with lower chest elevated by a support under the lower costal margin.

Elliot sign
induration of the edge of a syphilitic skin lesion. a scotoma extending from the blind spot and made up of numerous points or spots.

ellipsoidal joint
condylar joint.

elliptocyte
(e-lip´to-sīt) an abnormal oval or elliptical erythrocyte, as seen in elliptocytosis. Called also ovalocyte.

elliptocytosis
(e-lip″to-si-to´sis) any of several hereditary disorders in which most of the erythrocytes are elliptocytes; it is characterized by increased erythrocyte destruction and anemia.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome
(el´is vahn kre´veld) chondroectodermal dysplasia.

elongation
(e″long-a´shәn) the act or process of increasing in length. a radiographic distortion in which the image is longer than what is being x-rayed.

Elsberg test
(for sense of smell) variations in function of the sense of smell, or in rate of fatigue, may be used to distinguish between intracerebral and extracerebral tumors or other lesions.