Dictionary

event, adverse In pharmacology, an unexpected or dangerous reaction to a drug.

erythropoietin A hormone that is produced by the kidney and promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Abbreviated EPO. Human EPO is a glycoprotein (a protein with an attached sugar) that has a molecular weight of 34,000. The kidney cells that make EPO are specialized and are sensitive to low oxygen…

eschar 1 The scab that is formed when a wound or skin is sealed by the heat of cauterization or burning. 2 The dark crusted ulcer (tache noire) at the site of the chigger (mite larva) bite in scrub typhus.

Escherichia coli See E. coli.

esophageal Related to the esophagus.

esophageal cancer A malignant tumor of the esophagus. The risk of cancer of the esophagus is increased by long-term irritation of the esophagus, such as from smoking, heavy alcohol intake, and Barrett esophagitis. Very small tumors in the esophagus usually do not cause symptoms. As a tumor grows, the most common symptom is difficulty in…

esophageal reflux See gastroesophageal reflux disease.

esophageal speech Speech produced with air that is trapped in the esophagus and forced out again.

esophageal stricture, acute A narrowing or closure of the normal opening of the swallowing tube that leads to the stomach, usually caused by scarring from acid irritation. Acute, complete obstruction of the esophagus occurs when food (usually meat) is lodged in the esophageal stricture. This causes chest pain and inability to swallow saliva. Attempts to…

esophageal stricture, chronic A long-standing narrowing or closure of the normal opening of the swallowing tube that leads to the stomach, usually caused by scarring from acid irritation. Chronic esophageal stricture is a common complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Several procedures are available for stretching (dilating) the strictures without having to resort to…

esophageal ulcer A crater in the lining of the esophagus that is created by the corrosive acidic digestive juices secreted by the stomach cells. Ulcer formation is related to the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in the stomach, use of antiinflammatory medications, and cigarette smoking. Ulcer pain may not correlate with the presence…

esophagectomy An operation to remove a portion of the esophagus.