Medical Glossary: E

Eclampsia

The most servere form of toxemia, which is characterized by seizure, coma, hypertension, proteinuria and edema.

Impending seizure can often be determined by anxiety, epiagastric pain, headache, deep tendon reflexes, blured vison and extremely high blood pressure.

Recuperation is provided by bed rest, and doses of magnesium sulfate. Careful monitoring of the patient's condition with special attention to blood pressure, urine excretion and the fetal heart rate are required.

Caregivers must take care to maintain the airway and protect the patient from self injury. After the patient has stabilized, delivery of the fetus is usually performed.

Complications include cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, renal failure, necrosis of the liver, abruptio placentae, hypofibrinogenemia, hemolysis and retinal hemorrhages.

Ectoderm

The ectoderm, also known as the ectodermal germ layer is an area of tissue which will layer form into other muscular and bone structures. Later in the pregnancy, the ectoderm will form to become the skin, teeth, oral glands, the nervous system and pituitary gland.

Ectodermal Germ Layer

The ectodermal germ layer, also known as the ectoderm is an area of tissue which will layer form into other muscular and bone structures. Later in the pregnancy, the ectodermal germ layer will form to become the skin, teeth, oral glands, the nervous system and pituitary gland.

Ectopic Pregnancy

An abnormal condition in which the egg becomes fertilized outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. The mother experiences severe pain to one side of the lower abdomen, between weeks 6 and 12. The pregnancy must then be surgically terminated. Types of ectopic pregnancies include abdomen pregnancy, interstitial pregnancy, and tubal pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are also known as eccyesis.

ECV

The gentle movement of a breech baby into the cephalic position, performed by an obstetrician sometime between weeks 32 - 34. Also known as External Cephalic Version or External Version.

EDC

Abbreviation of Estimated Date of Confinement, or referred to as the estimated due date or estimated date of delivery. The EDC is calculated as 280 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.

EDD

Abbreviation for Estimated Due Date, or Estimated Date of Delivery. The EDD is calculated as 280 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.

Edema

The accumulation of fluid within the tissue, causing puffiness; often in the legs and feet.

Edema may be caused by increased capillary fluid pressure, or restriction of the veins, pressure from casts or tight bandages.

Treatment may include the administration of potassium-sparring diuretics to promote the excretion of fluid and sodium.

EEG

Abbreviation of electroencephalogram. A monitoring device which uses electrodes placed on the head to measure electrical activity produced by the brain cells. The resulting lines, labeled alpha, beta, delta and theta according to the frequencies they record and which range from 2 to 12 cycles per second, are drawn on a sheet of scrolling paper. Brainwave activity can be used to measure differing neurological conditions, psychological states and varying levels of conciousness.

Effacement

A term used to describe the process during labor whereby the vagina shortens and the walls of the cervix thin as it is stretched by the fetus. At its finish, the cervix becomes one with the lower segment of the uterus. Doctors measure the extent of effacement during labor by vaginal examination and express its progress as a percentageof full effacement.

EFM

Abbreviation of electronic fetal monitor, a method used to measure the unborn baby's heartbeat, the mother's heartbeat, and contractions of the mother's uterus.

To measure the baby's heartbeat, an ultrasound transducer is placed on the mother's abdomen, close to the baby's heart.

To monitor contractions of the mother's uterus, a pressure sensor is placed on the mother's abodomen. Amplitude, frequency and duration are monitored with an interuterine catheter.

Monitoring of the baby's heartbeat can also be accomplished internally by placing an electrode through the cervix onto the baby's scalp.

Elective Induction

The term given when a baby is induced for convenience rather than for any medical reason. See also Induction.

Electroencephalogram

A monitoring device which uses electrodes placed on the head to measure electrical activity produced by the brain cells. The resulting lines, labeled alpha, beta, delta and theta according to the frequencies they record and which range from 2 to 12 cycles per second, are drawn on a sheet of scrolling paper. Brainwave activity can be used to measure differing neurological conditions, psychological states and varying levels of conciousness. Often abbreviated to EEG.

Electronic Fetal Monitor

A method used to measure the unborn baby's heartbeat, the mother's heartbeat, and contractions of the mother's uterus.

To measure the baby's heartbeat, an ultrasound transducer is placed on the mother's abdomen, close to the baby's heart.

To monitor contractions of the mother's uterus, a pressure sensor is placed on the mother's abodomen. Amplitude, frequency and duration are monitored with an interuterine catheter.

Monitoring of the baby's heartbeat can also be accomplished internally by placing an electrode through the cervix onto the baby's scalp. Abbreviated to EFM.

Embryo

The name given to the developing life within the female body during the first ten weeks of gestation. Since the calendar counts from the date of the last menstrual period, this corresponds to about Week 12 in the Diary. In human embryos there is little yolk in the egg, nourishment being replaced by the placenta as soon as it has formed.

Endocrinological Changes

The endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. During pregnancy, the maternal body will undergo a number of hormonal changes, that will continue up to four weeks after delivery.

Endoderm

The endoderm, also known as the endodermal germ layer is an area of tissue which will layer form into other muscular structures. Later in the pregnancy, the endoderm will form to become the digestive tract, respiratory organs, bladder, urethra and vagina in females. Endoderm is also sometimes spelled entoderm.

Endodermal germ layer

The endodermal germ layer, also known as the endoderm is an area of tissue which will layer form into other muscular structures. Later in the pregnancy, the endodermal germ layer will form to become the digestive tract, respiratory organs, bladder, urethra and vagina in females. Endoderm is also sometimes spelled entoderm.

Endometrial Cycle

A term used to describe part of the menstrual cycle, which begins with the mucus membrane lining the uterus preparing itself for pregnancy and ends with the shedding of the lining during the menstrual period.

Endometrium

The mucus membrane lining of the uterus which changes in thickness and structure during the menstrual cycle. It consists of three parts; the stratum compactum, the stratum spongiosum and the stratum basale. The first two parts combine to form the pars funtionalis, which is shed during menstruation. During pregnancy, the pars functionalis is termed the decidua, and underlies the placenta.

Enema

A procedure in which a fluid is introduced into the rectum for the purpose of cleansing the bowels.

Eng / E

Medical shorthand for engagement, the term used to describe the final portion of pregnancy during which the baby's head (or other presenting part) has settled into the pelvic cavity.

Engagement

The term used to describe the final portion of pregnancy during which the baby's head (or other presenting part) has settled into the pelvic cavity.

Engorgement

The term used to describe the mother's breasts when filled to capacity with milk. Painful engorgement may take place when there are long periods between feedings, which can be relieved by feeding the baby, or expressing the breast milk.

Enzygotic Twins

A pregnancy in which two children are produced from the same ovum, which has split during early embryonic development.

Enzygotic twins are always of the same sex, share the same genetic makeup and blood groups.

Both children resemble each other physically, mentally and psychologically.

Enzygotic twins are also called Monozygotic twins, true twins, identical twins or uniovular twins.

Enzyme

A protein produced by the body's cells which catalyzes chemical reactions in organic matter. While most enzymes catalyze reactions within cells, digestive enzymes, which are produced in much larger quantities, act outside of cells within the digestive tract.

Epidural

A regional anesthetic introduced into the base of the spine used during labor and for cesarean sections. Also known as an epidural block.

Epidural Block

A regional anesthetic introduced into the base of the spine used during labor and for cesarean sections. Also known as an epidural.

Episiotomy

A surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening and faciliate delivery of the baby or prevent tearing of the perineum. It is closed with absorbable sutures.

There are two types of episiotomy; the medilateral, cut at 45 degrees with midline, and median cut in the midline. The former offers more room for delivery but is more painful postpartum, while the latter heals more easily, but provides less room for delivery.

Erythrocytes

A concave disk containing hemoglobin surrounded by a lipoid membrane. It is the major cellular element of the circulating blood and it serves primarily to transport oxygen. The number of erythrocytes is about 4 and 4.5 million per cubic millimeter in women (4.5 and 5 million per cubic millimeter in men).

The average lifespan of an erythrocyte is between 110 and 115 days after which it is removed from the bloodstream. New erythrocytes are produced at about the rate of 1% daily to keep levels constant. Erythrocytes originate in the marrow of long bones. Also called red blood cells.

Esophagus

A muscular tube lined with mucus membrane about 9 inches (24 cm) long, which leads from the neck to the stomach. It is the narrowest part of the digestive tube, being most constricted at its origin.

Estimated Date of Confinement

Sometimes abbreviated to EDC, or referred to as the estimated due date or estimated date of delivery. The EDC is calculated as 280 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.

Estimated Date of Delivery

Sometimes abbreviated to EDD, or referred to as the Estimated Due Date. The EDD is calculated as 280 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.

Estimated Due Date

Sometimes abbreviated to EDD, or referred to as the Estimated Date of Delivery. The EDD is calculated as 280 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.

Estriol

A natural human estrogen that is found in the urine and blood. Measurement may be taken during the last trimester to determine the effectiveness of the placenta.

Estrogen

One of a group of female hormonal steroids that promote secondary sex characteristics.

Created in the ovaries, adrenal cortices, and fetoplacental unit, estrogen is used to prepare the genital tract for fertilization, implantation and nutrition of the embryo.

Estrogen is a key ingredient in oral contraceptives. Estrogens include conjugated estrogen, esterified estrogen, estradiol, estriol and estrone.

Exotocin

A poison or toxin that comes from a source that is not part of the body. It can be secreted by a living microorganism inside the body.

External Cephalic Version

The gentle movement of a breech baby into the cephalic position, performed by an obstetrician sometime between weeks 32 - 34. Also known as External Version or abbreviated to ECV.

External Version

The gentle movement of a breech baby into the cephalic position, performed by an obstetrician sometime between weeks 32 - 34. Also known as External Cephalic Version or abbreviated to ECV.

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