engagement The sensation that a pregnant woman feels when the lowermost part of the fetus descends and is engaged in the mother’s pelvis, an event that typically occurs 2 to 3 weeks before labor begins. Women who have had two or more prior viable pregnancies (multiparas) may not experience engagement until labor actually begins. When…
ENGERIX-B A vaccine against the hepatitis B virus. ENGERIX-B stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the virus.
engram An enduring change in the brain that is postulated to account for the persistence of memory.
enophthalmos Sunken eyeball. Enophthalmos can be a sign of severe dehydration.
enoxaparin A low-molecular-weight version of heparin that acts like heparin as an anticoagulant medication. Enoxaparin is used to prevent thromboembolic complications (blood clots that travel from their site of origin through the bloodstream to clog another vessel) and in the early treatment of blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolisms).
ENT Ears, nose, and throat. An ENT physician is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the head and neck, particularly those of the ears, nose, and throat. ENT physicians are also known as otolaryngologists.
Entamoeba histolytica The agent that causes amebic dysentery. Entamoeba histolytica is a singlecelled parasite that is transmitted to humans via contaminated water and food. It can also infect the liver and other organs. See also amebiasis; amebic colitis; amebic dysentery.
enteric Of or relating to the small intestine.
enteric-coated medication A medication that is coated with a material that allows transit through the stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released. Aspirin, which commonly causes stomach irritation and upset, is among the medications that may have enteric coating.
enteritis, Crohn’s See Crohn’s enteritis.
enchondroma A common benign tumor of cartilage within bone. Enchondroma most often appears as a bony nodule in the hand or foot of a patient aged 10 to 30 years. Pain may be a sign of a fracture or malignant transformation. If fracture occurs, the enchondroma may be treated with removal and bone grafting. No…
enchondromatosis See Ollier’s disease.