Dictionary

epistaxis See nosebleed.

epistaxis, treatment of See nosebleed, treatment of.

epithelial Relating to the epithelium.

epithelial basement corneal dystrophy See Cogan corneal dystrophy.

epithelium The cellular layer that covers internal and external organs of the body, including the skin, blood vessels, body cavities, and glands. Epithelium varies in the number of cellular layers and types of cells, depending upon the anatomic location. The endothelium is a type of epithelium that lines the inner surfaces of the blood vessels…

EPO 1 Erythropoietin. 2 Evening primrose oil.

EPO test A test of the amount of hormone erythropoietin (EPO) in blood. The EPO level can indicate bone marrow disorders, kidney disease, or EPO abuse. Testing EPO blood levels is of value because too little EPO might be responsible for too few red blood cells (such as in evaluating anemia); too much EPO can…

eponym Something named after someone. For example, a condition called Shiel syndrome might be named after (an eponym for) someone named Shiel who discovered it or who was the first to describe and clearly delineate it.

Epstein-Barr virus A virus in the herpes family that is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis (also called mono and glandular fever). Abbreviated EBV. EBV infection is characterized by fatigue and general malaise. Infection with EBV is common and is normally temporary and minor. However, in some individuals EBV can trigger chronic illness,…

ERCP Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography, a diagnostic procedure used to examine diseases of the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. ERCP is usually performed under intravenous sedation rather than general anesthesia. ERCP provides important information that cannot be obtained by other means. Therapeutic measures can often be taken at the time of ERCP to remove stones in…

erectile dysfunction A consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Commonly known as impotence. Medically, the term erectile dysfunction is used to properly differentiate this form of impotence from other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as disease, injury, drug side effects, or a disorder that impairs the nerve supply or…

erection, penile The state of the penis when it is filled with blood and becomes rigid. The penis contains two chambers called the corpora cavernosa, which run the length of the organ, are filled with spongy tissue, and are surrounded by a membrane called the tunica albuginea. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues,…