Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «E»:
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Endometrioma
Endometrioma: Part of the condition known as
endometriosis. Endometrioma is a type of cyst formed when endometrial tissue (the mucous
membrane that makes up the inner layer of the uterine wall) grows in the
ovaries. It affects women during the reproductive years and may cause chronic
pelvi...
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Endometriosis
Endometriosis: The presence of tissue that normally grows inside the
uterus (womb) in an abnormal anatomical location. Endometriosis is very common
and may not produce symptoms, or it may lead to painful menstruation. It has
also been associated with infertility. Endometriosis occurs most commonl...
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Endometriosis interna
Endometriosis interna: Also known as adenomyosis
(pronounced
ad-den-o-mi-o-sis), this is a common benign condition of
the uterus in which
the endometrium (the mucous membrane lining the inside of
the uterus) grows
into the myometrium (the uterine musculature located just
outside the
endometrium)...
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Endometriosis uterina
Endometriosis uterina: Also known as adenomyosis
(pronounced
ad-den-o-mi-o-sis), this is a common benign condition of
the uterus in which
the endometrium (the mucous membrane lining the inside of
the uterus) grows
into the myometrium (the uterine musculature located just
outside the
endometrium)...
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Endometritis
Endometritis: Inflammation of the endometrium. The
endometrium is the inner layer of the womb (uterus)....
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Endometrium
Endometrium: The uterine lining; the cells that line the uterus (the womb); the inner layer of the uterus. This tissue is shed
monthly in response to the hormonal changes of the menstrual period. The endometrium then grows back and slowly gets thicker and thicker until the next period when it is on...
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Endonuclease
Endonuclease: An enzyme that cleaves a nucleic acid
(DNA or RNA) at specific internal sites in the nucleotide base sequence....
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Endopeptidase
Endopeptidase: An enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bonds within a polypeptide or protein. Peptidase refers to the fact that it acts on peptide bonds and endopeptidase refers to the fact that these are internal bonds. An exopeptide catalyzes the cleavage of the terminal or penultimate pe...
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Endoplasmic reticulum
Endoplasmic reticulum: A structure within cells that is an extension of the nuclear membrane and in which proteins slated to become part of the nuclear membrane are translated, folded and transported. Abbreviated ER....
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Endorectal MRI
Endorectal MRI: An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) done from inside the rectum. To do such as MRI, a surface coil within an inflated latex balloon can be positioned in the rectum. The MRI is read (interpreted) and specific areas of suspicion are identified. The MRI data can be mapped onto a 3-dimen...
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Endorphin
Endorphin: One of the body's own painkillers, an opioid
(morphine-like) chemical produced by the body that serves to suppress
pain.
Endorphins are manufactured in the brain, spinal cord, and many
other parts of the body. They are released in response to
neurotransmitters and bind to certain neur...
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Endoscope
Endoscope: A lighted optical instrument used to get
a deep look inside the body and examine organs such as the throat or
esophagus. An endoscope can be rigid or flexible.
Specialized endoscopes are named depending where they are intended
to look. Examples include: cystoscope (bladder), nephroscop...
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Endoscopic gastrostomy, percutaneous (PEG)
Endoscopic gastrostomy, percutaneous (PEG):
A surgical procedure for placing a feeding tube without having to perform an open laparotomy (operation on the abdomen). The aim of PEG is to feed those who cannot swallow. PEG may be done by a surgeon, otolaryngologist (ENT specialist), or gastroenterolog...
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Endoscopic papillotomy
Endoscopic papillotomy: See: Endoscopic sphincterotomy....
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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: Abbreviated ERCP. A procedure done to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas, including gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery), and cancer. ERCP combines the use of x-rays a...