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

epiglottis
(ep″ĭ-glot´is) the lidlike cartilaginous structure overhanging the entrance to the larynx; the muscular action of swallowing closes the opening to the trachea by placing the larynx against the epiglottis, so that food and drink are prevented from entering the larynx and trachea and directed instead into the esophag...

epiglottitis
(ep″ĭ-glŏ-ti´tis) supraglottitis.

epilate
(ep´ĭ-lāt) depilate.

epilation
(ep″ĭ-la´shәn) depilation.

epilatory
(ә-pil´ә-tor″e) depilatory.

epilemma
(ep″ĭ-lem´ә) endoneurium.

epilepsia partialis continua
(ep″ĭ-lep´se-ә pahr-she-a´lis kәn-tin´u-ә) a form of status epilepticus with focal motor seizures, marked by continuous clonic movements of a limited part of the body. Called also simple partial status.

epilepsy
(ep´ĭ-lep″se) any of a group of syndromes characterized by periodic transient disturbances of brain function; there may be episodic impairment or loss of consciousness, problems of muscle control, mental or sensory disturbances, or problems with the autonomic nervous system. A single episode is called a...

epileptic
(ep″ĭ-lep´tik) pertaining to or affected with epilepsy.

epileptic dementia
a progressive mental and intellectual deterioration that occurs in a small fraction of cases of epilepsy; it is thought by some to be caused by degeneration of neurons resulting from circulatory disturbances during seizures.

epileptiform
(ep″ĭ-lep´tĭ-form) resembling epilepsy or its manifestations. occurring in severe or sudden paroxysms. Called also epileptoid.

epileptogenic
(ep″ĭ-lep-to-jen´ik) causing an epileptic seizure.

epileptogenic zone
an area, stimulation of which may provoke an epileptic seizure.

epileptoid
(ep″ĭ-lep´toid) epileptiform.

epimenorrhea
(ep″ĭ-men″o-re´ә) abnormally frequent menstruation.

epimer
(ep´ĭ-mәr) one of two or more optical isomers that differ only in the configuration around one asymmetric carbon atom. adj., epimer´ic., adj.

epimerase
(ә-pim´ә-rās) an isomerase enzyme that catalyzes a change in asymmetric groups in substrates (epimers) that have more than one center of asymmetry.

epimere
(ep´ĭ-mēr) the dorsal portion of a somite, from which are formed muscles innervated by the posterior ramus of a spinal nerve.

epimeric muscle
a muscle derived from an epimere and innervated by a posterior ramus of a spinal nerve.

epimerization
(ә-pim″әr-ĭ-za´shәn) the changing of one epimeric form of a compound into another, as by enzymatic action.

epimorphosis
(ep″ĭ-mor-fo´sis) the regeneration of a piece of an organism by proliferation at the cut surface. adj., epimor´phic., adj.

epimysium
(ep″ĭ-mis´e-әm) the fibrous sheath around an entire skeletal muscle.

epinephrine
(ep″ĭ-nef´rin) a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla, that helps regulate the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. When a person is highly stimulated, as by fear, anger, or some challenging situation, extra amounts of epinephrine may be released into the bloodstream, preparing the body for en...

epinephryl borate
(ep″ĭ-nef´rәl) a compound containing epinephrine as a borate complex; used in treatment of glaucoma.

epineural
(ep″ĭ-noo´rәl) situated upon a neural arch.

epineurium
(ep″ĭ-noor´e-um) the sheath of a peripheral nerve. adj., epineu´rial., adj.

epiphyseal dysplasia
faulty growth and ossification of the epiphyses, with radiographically apparent stippling and decreased stature, not associated with thyroid disease. See d. epiphysealis hemimelica, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, and chondrodysplasia punctata.

epiphyseal fracture
fracture at the point of union of an epiphysis with the shaft of a bone.

epiphyseal line
one on the surface of an adult long bone, marking the junction of the epiphysis and diaphysis.

epiphyseal plate
the thin plate of cartilage between the epiphysis and the shaft of a long bone; it is the site of growth in length and is obliterated by epiphyseal closure.

epiphyseal syndrome
precocious development of external genitalia and sexual function, precocious abnormal growth of long bones, appearance of signs of internal hydrocephalus, in the absence of all other motor and sensory symptoms. It has been attributed to pineal body dysfunction and to mechanical effects on the brain caused by tumors of the...

epiphysiolysis
(ep″ĭ-fiz″e-ol´ә-sis) separation of the epiphysis from the diaphysis of a bone.

epiphysis
(ә-pif´ә-sis) pl. epi´physes the end of a long bone, usually wider than the shaft, and either entirely cartilaginous or separated from the shaft by a cartilaginous disk. part of a bone formed from a secondary center of ossification, commonly found at the ends of long bones, on the margins of fla...

epiphysitis
(ә-pif″ә-si´tis) inflammation of an epiphysis or of the cartilage joining the epiphysis to a bone shaft.

epipial
(ep″ĭ-pi´әl) situated upon the pia mater.

epiploic foramen
omental foramen.

epiploon
(ә-pip´lo-on) the greater omentum. adj., epiplo´ic., adj.

epiretinal
(ep″ĭ-ret´ĭ-nәl) overlying the retina.

epiretinal membrane
a pathologic membrane partially covering the surface of the retina, probably originating chiefly from the retinal pigment epithelial and glial cells; membranes peripheral to the macula are generally asymptomatic, while those involving the macula or adjacent to it may cause reduction in vision, visual distortion, and diplo...

epirubicin
(ep″ĭ-roo´bĭ-sin) an antitumor antibiotic of the anthracycline group, having the same actions as doxorubicin but a lower toxicity; administered intravenously in the treatment of carcinoma of the breast, ovary, stomach, colon, and rectum, as well as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

episclera
(ep″ĭ-skler´ә) the loose connective tissue forming the sclera and the conjunctiva.

episcleral
(ep″ĭ-skler´әl) overlying the sclera. pertaining to the episclera.

episcleral arteries
origin,anterior ciliary arteries; branches, none; distribution, iris, ciliary processes.

episcleral veins
the veins that ring the cornea and drain into the vorticose and ciliary veins.

episcleritis
(ep″ĭ-sklә-ri´tis) inflammation of the episclera and adjacent tissues. nodular episcleritis that characterized by a tender, localized, injected nodule within the inflamed area; it can be moved over the sclera.

episioperineoplasty
(ә-piz″e-o-per″ĭ-ne´o-plas″te) plastic repair of the vulva and perineum.

episioperineorrhaphy
(ә-piz″e-o-per″ĭ-ne-or´ә-fe) suture of the vulva and perineum.

episioplasty
(ә-piz´e-o-plas″te) plastic repair of the vulva.

episiorrhaphy
(ә-piz″e-or´ә-fe) suture of the labia majora. suture repair of an episiotomy.

episiostenosis
(ә-piz″e-o-stә-no´sis) narrowing of the vulvar orifice.

episiotomy
(ә-piz″e-ot´o-me) surgical incision into the perineum and vagina to prevent traumatic tearing during childbirth; the incision is later repaired by perineorrhaphy.

episode
(ep´ĭ-sōd) a single noteworthy happening in the course of a longer series of events, such as one critical period of several during a prolonged illness. hypomanic episode a period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood similar to a manic episode but not as severe; see al...

episodic
(ep″ĭ-sod´ik) having symptom-free periods that alternate with the presence of symptoms.

episome
(ep´ĭ-sōm) in bacterial genetics, any accessory extrachromosomal replicating genetic element that can exist either autonomously or integrated with the chromosome.

epispadias
(ep″ĭ-spa´de-әs) a developmental anomaly consisting of absence of the upper wall of the urethra; it occurs in both sexes, but more commonly in males, with the urethral opening somewhere on the dorsum of the penis. adj., epispa´diac, epispa´dial, adj. .

episplenitis
(ep″ĭ-splә-ni´tis) inflammation of the capsule of the spleen.

epistasis
(ә-pis´tә-sis) suppression of a secretion or excretion, as of blood, menses, or lochia. the interaction between genes at different loci that results in one gene masking the expression of the other. See also dominance. adj., epistat´ic., adj.

epistaxis
(ep″ĭ-stak´sis) hemorrhage from the nose, usually due to rupture of small vessels that are over the anterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum. Minor bleeding may be caused by a blow on the nose, irritation from a foreign body, vigorous nose-blowing during a cold, or occasionally menstruation. At times t...

episternal
(ep″ĭ-stur´nәl) situated on or over the sternum.

epitendineum
(ep″ĭ-tәn-din´e-әm) the fibrous sheath covering a tendon.

epithalamus
(ep″ĭ-thal´ә-mәs) the part of the diencephalon just above and behind the thalamus. It includes pineal body and adjacent structures.

epithelial
(ep″ĭ-the´le-әl) pertaining to or composed of epithelium.

epithelial attachment
a band or wedge of epithelium whose external surface adheres to the tooth crown and whose internal surface adheres to the free gingiva. It seals and protects the periodontium from foreign material in the oral cavity.

epithelial bodies
parathyroid glands.

epithelial carcinoma
a malignant epithelioma, such as of the respiratory tract or ovary.

epithelial cell
any of the cells that cover the surface of the body and line its cavities.

epithelial cyst
any cyst lined by keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, found most often in the skin. epidermal cyst.

epithelial lamina
the layer of ependymal cells covering the choroid plexus.

epithelial tissue
a general name for tissues not derived from the mesoderm.

epithelialization
(ep″ĭ-the″le-әl-ĭ-za´shәn) healing by the growth of epithelium over a denuded surface.

epithelialize
(ep″ĭ-the´le-әl-īz″) to cover with epithelium.

epitheliitis
(ep″ĭ-the″le-i´tis) inflammation of the epithelium.

epithelioid
(ep″ĭ-the´le-oid) resembling epithelium.

epithelioid cell
a large polyhedral cell of connective tissue origin. a type of highly phagocytic, modified macrophage that resembles an epithelial cell, having a large, pale, vesicular nucleus with abundant cytoplasm; this type is characteristic of granulomatous inflammation, and many of them may coalesce to form multinucleate giant ce...

epitheliolysis
(ep″ĭ-the″le-ol´ә-sis) destruction of epithelial tissue. adj., epitheliolyt´ic., adj.

epithelioma
(ep″ĭ-the″le-o´mә) a neoplasm of epithelial origin, ranging from benign (adenoma and papilloma) to malignant (carcinoma). the term is sometimes used loosely and incorrectly as a synonym for carcinoma. adj., epithelio´matous., adj. epithelioma adenoides cysticu...

epithelium
(ep″ĭ-the´le-әm) pl. epithe´lia the cellular covering of internal and external surfaces of the body, including the lining of vessels and other small cavities. It consists of cells joined by small amounts of cementing substances. Epithelium is classified into types on the basis of the number of laye...

epithelization
(ep″ĭ-the″lĭ-za´shәn) epithelialization.

epitonic
(ep″ĭ-ton´ik) abnormally tense or tonic.

epitope
(ep´ĭ-tōp) antigenic determinant.

epitrichium
(ep″ĭ-trik´e-әm) periderm.

epitrochlea
(ep″ĭ-trok´le-ә) the inner condyle of the humerus.

epitympanum
(ep″ĭ-tim´pә-nәm) epitympanic recess. adj., epitympan´ic, adj. .

epizootic
(ep″ĭ-zo-ot´ik) attacking many animals in any region at the same time; widely diffused and rapidly spreading.

eplerenone
(ĕ-pler´ә-nōn) an aldosterone antagonist used in treatment of hypertension and to improve survival in cardiac failure after acute myocardial infarction; administered orally.

epoetin
(e-po´ә-tin) a form of human erythropoietin produced by recombinant technology, having the same mechanism of action as endogenous erythropoietin. Used in treatment of anemia from various causes, including chronic renal failure, zidovudine therapy, and cancer chemotherapy; also used prior to surgery in anemic patients to...

eponychium
(ep″o-nik´e-әm) cuticle. the horny fetal epidermis at the site of the future nail.

epoprostenol
(e″po-pros´tә-nol) name for prostacyclin when used pharmaceutically; it is used in the form of the sodium salt as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation for blood contacting nonbiological systems, as in renal dialysis, as a pulmonary antihypertensive, and as a vasodilator.

epoxide
(ә-pok´sīd) an organic compound resulting from the union of an oxygen atom with two other atoms, usually carbon, that are themselves joined together. Commonly referred to as epoxy. See also epoxy resin.

epoxy
(ә-pok´se) epoxide. epoxy resin.

epoxy resin
a tough, chemically resistant, adhesive, flexible, dimensionally stable resin of epoxy polymers; used as denture base material.

epoxy resin lung
a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by inhalation of the fumes of heated epoxy resin that contains phthalic anhydride.

epoöphoron
(ep″o-of´ә-rәn) a vestigial structure associated with the ovary.

EPP
erythropoietic protoporphyria.

eprosartan
(ep″ro-sahr´tan) an angiotensin II antagonist that causes vasodilation and decreases the effects of aldosterone; used as an antihypertensive, administered orally.

EPS
electrophysiological studies.

Epsom salt
magnesium sulfate.

Epstein disease
(ep´stīn) pseudodiphtheria.

Epstein syndrome
(ep´stīn) nephrotic syndrome.

Epstein-Barr virus
(EBV) a herpesvirus of the genus Lymphocryptovirus that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Called also EB virus.