Glossary - E
- Ecbolic
- An agent that excites uterine contractions and thereby promotes the expulsion of the contents of the uterus.
- Ecchymosis
- A small hemorrhagic spot in the skin or mucous membrane forming a blue or purplish patch.
- Eccoprotic (eccoproticophoric)
- Laxative, often a mild laxative.
- Ectoparasiticidal
- Kills external parasites.
- Eczema
- An inflammation of the skin characterized by redness, itching and oozing vesicular lesions that become scaly, crusted or hardened.
- Edema (oedema)
- Presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body (may be localized, due to venous or lymphatic obstruction or to increased vascular permeability; or it may be systemic, due to heart failure or renal disease).
- Edemagenic
- Giving rise to edema.
- Electuary
- A confection (a general term, often used to refer to confections with medicinal materials, prepared with tasty materials such as honey for palatability).
- Elephantiasis
- Enlargement and thickening of tissues, especially the enormous enlargement of a limb or the scrotum caused by filarial worms obstructing lymphatic system.
- Elixir
- A general term, referring to a syrup or other liquid, often sweetened to be palatable, often containing alcohol or another substance to emulsify and suspend a medicine (like an extract).
- Emesis
- Vomiting.
- Emetic
- Induces vomiting.
- Emmenagogue
- Restores regular menstrual discharge.
- Emollient
- Softens (also often soothes) the skin (= malactic; compare Demulcent).
- Emphysema
- A pathological accumulation of air in tissues or organs, especially of the lungs (frequently associated with impairment of heart action).
- Encephalitis
- Inflammation of the brain.
- Endometriosis
- Occurrence of uterine mucous membrane (the endometrium) aberrantly (in places where it normally does not develop) in various locations in the pelvic cavity.
- Endometritis
- Inflammation of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).
- Endorphins
- Morphine-like substances produced in the body.
- Enteralgia
- Pain in the intestines; colic.
- Enteritis
- Inflammation of the intestines.
- Enterorrhagia
- Bleeding from or of the intestine.
- Enuresis
- Involuntary discharge of urine after the age at which urinary control should have been achieved; bed wetting.
- Epididymitis
- Inflammation of the epididymis (where sperm are matured and stored).
- Epigastralgia
- Pain in the upper central region of the abdomen.
- Epinephrine
- A chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter or a hormone; it constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate (= adrenaline).
- Epistaxis
- Nosebleed.
- Epithelioma
- A tumor (benign or malignant) derived from epithelial tissue.
- Ergotism
- Poisoning from eating grain or grain products (such as rye bread) infected by ergot fungus (compare Saint Anthony's fire).
- Erotomania
- Excessive (especially pathological) sexual desire.
- Errhine
- Causes sneezing, and possibly also secretion of mucus.
- Eructation
- Belching.
- Erysipelas
- A severe inflammation of the skin caused by a (group A) hemolytic streptococcal bacterium. (One of the conditions developed is called St. Anthony's fire; ergotism, caused by eating grain infected with ergot fungus, has also been called St. Anthony's fire.)
- Erythema
- Redness of skin produced by congestion of the capillaries, which may result from a variety of causes, for example by sunburn.
- Erythrocytes
- Red blood cells, that carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
- Escharotic (escarotic)
- Caustic. A substance that produces a scar, especially a mild caustic.
- Estrogen (oestrogen)
- The female, steroid, sex hormones. In humans, estrogen is formed particularly in the ovary, but has various functions in both sexes. It is responsible for the development of the female secondary sex characteristics, and during the menstrual cycle it acts on the female genitalia to produce an environment suitable for the fertilization, implantation, and nutrition of the early embryo. Estrogen is used in oral contraceptives and in the relief of the discomforts of menopause. Estrogen deficiency in women can lead to osteoporosis.
- Estrogenic (oestrogenic)
- Promoting estrus or estrus cycle (period during which reproductive conception can occur).
- Euphoriant
- An agent that produces a feeling of well-being. The term can include addictive, dangerous, and illegal substances (compare Psychotropic).
- Exanthematic
- Ameliorates skin eruptions.
- Excema
- An inflammation of the skin, with redness, itching and oozing vesicular lesions that become scaly, crusted, or hardened.
- Exophthalmia
- An abnormal protrusion of the eye from the orbit.
- Exostosis
- A non-cancerous growth on the surface of a bone, usually with a cartilage cap, due to long-term irritatio resulting from osteoarthritis, infections, or trauma.
- Expectorant
- Promotes ejection of mucus or exudate from the lungs, bronchi and trachea; clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing, (sometimes equated with Antitussive.)
- Extract
- A concentrated preparation of a vegetable or animal drug, often standardized in concentration. Extracts are prepared in three forms: semiliquid or syrupy, pilular or solid, and as dry powder.
- Extrasystole
- A premature contraction of the heart independent of the normal rhythm.