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e-coli: bacteria that resides in the human colon. Some strains are harmless but others are capable of causing death particularly in the young and elderly
ECG: see electrocardiogram
Echocardiography: uses ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers. It can detect inflammation around the heart, abnormal anatomy or infections of the heart valves
Eclampsia: convulsions occurring with pregnancy associated high blood pressure and having no other cause
Ectopic pregnancy: pregnancy not in the uterus (largely in a fallopian tube)
Elder abuse: the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of an elderly person, usually one who is disabled or frail.
Electrocardiogram: records the electrical activity around the heart. Electrodes are placed on the chest and output is recorded on a long scroll of paper. It can detect muscle ischaemia and/or dead tissue around the heart
Embolism: obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign substance or a blood clot blocking it. Can be an air bubble, a globule of fat amongst other things
Encephalitis: inflammation of the brain
Endocardium: the lining of the interior surface of the heart’s chambers
Endocrine: pertaining to hormones and glands that make and secrete them into the blood stream
Endoscopy: term used to describe the examining of the inside of the body with a lighted flexible instrument. Typically is through the mouth or the anus
ENT: abbreviation for ears, nose and throat. A field of medicine also called otolaryngology
Ependymoma: a type of brain tumour derived from the cells that line the cavities within the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. Because cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) normally flows through the cerebral ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord, blockage due to an ependymoma can cause build-up of fluid, pressure on the brain, and hydrocephalus with the associated symptoms of headaches, nausea and vomiting
Epidermis: the upper or outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin. The epidermis is mostly made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. Under the squamous cells are round cells called basal cells. The deepest part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes. These cells produce melanin which gives the skin its colour
The other main layer of the skin is the dermis the inner layer of skin, that contains blood and lymph vessels, hair follicles, and glands. These glands produce sweat which helps regulate body temperature, and sebum an oily substance that helps keep the skin from drying out. Sweat and sebum reach the skin's surface through tiny openings called pores.
Epilepsy: when nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times higher than normal, this causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. A pattern of repeated seizures is referred to as epilepsy. Known causes include head injuries, brain tumours, lead poisoning, maldevelopment of the brain, genetic and infectious illnesses. But in fully half of cases, no cause can be found. Medication controls seizures for the majority of patients
Extravasation: escape of blood or fluid into tissue
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