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 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 speech Speech produced with air that is trapped in the esophagus and forced out again.
esophageal reflux See gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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 Related to the esophagus.
Escherichia coli See E. coli.
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.
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…
erythroplakia An abnormal reddened patch with a velvety surface that is found in the mouth. Erythroplakia carries an increased risk for becoming a cancer in the oral cavity. Treatment methods include observation, topical ointments, and surgical techniques including laser surgery.
erythromycin An antibiotic that is commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infection. Erythromycin prevents bacteria from producing proteins and interferes with bacterial growth and multiplication. See also macrolide antibiotic.
erythroleukemia A form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that involves the cells that give rise to the erythrocytes (red blood cells). In erythroleukemia, the body produces large numbers of abnormal, immature red blood cells.