ear, low-set A minor anomaly in which the ear is situated below the normal location. Technically, the ear is low-set when the helix of the ear meets the cranium at a level below that of a horizontal plane through both inner canthi (the inside corners of the eyes). The presence of two or more minor…
ear, internal See ear, inner.
ear, inner A highly complex structure whose essential component for hearing is the membranous labyrinth, where the fibers of the auditory nerve connect the ear to the brain. The membranous labyrinth is a system of communicating sacs and ducts (tubes) filled with fluid (endolymph), and it is lodged within a cavity called the bony labyrinth….
ear, external See ear, outer.
ear, cauliflower See cauliflower ear.
ear The hearing organ. There are three sections of the ear: outer, middle, and inner. The outer, or external, ear helps concentrate the vibrations of air created by sound onto the eardrum, causing the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted by a chain of little bones in the middle ear to the inner ear,…
Eagle syndrome Inflammation of the styloid process, a spike-like growth that projects out of the base of the skull. If the styloid process is oversized or projects too far, the tissues in the throat can rub on it causing pain during the act of swallowing and pain on rotation of the neck. Diagnosis of Eagle…
E. coli Escherichia coli, a bacterium that normally resides in the colon. Although E. coli is normally present in the colon with no harmful consequences, it can cause disease when transmitted from human to human via water, food, or feces. Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are especially at risk…
dysuria Pain during urination, or difficulty urinating. Dysuria is usually caused by inflammation of the urethra, frequently as a result of infection.
dystrophy, myotonic A relatively common inherited disease in which the muscles contract but have decreasing ability to relax (myotonia). Myotonic dystrophy is also characterized by the development of a mask-like, expressionless face, premature balding, cataracts, and abnormalities in heart rhythm. See amplification; anticipation.
dystrophy, muscular See muscular dystrophy.
dystonia musculorum deformans See dystonia, torsion.