Medical Definitions - E
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Echocardiogram - a graphic outline of the heart's movement; an ultrasound provides pictures of the heart's valves and chambers; allows an evaluation of the pumping action of the heart.
Echoencephalograph(y) - the use of ultrasound to study the intracranial structures of the brain. The technique is useful for showing ventricular dilation and a major shift of midline structures caused by an expanding lesion.
Echogenic - describing any inner part of the body that reflects sound waves and thus produces echos that may be detected using ultrasound scanners.
ECMO - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; a life support system that circulates the blood through an oxygenating system. ECMO is like a heart/lung machine that takes over the work of the heart and lungs. ECMO is only used for limited time because of the high risks of bleeding, clotting, infection and organ failure.
ECMO flow - the amount of blood moved through the ECMO circuit (system) per minute.
ECMO pump - controls the amount of support given while on ECMO; it acts as an artificial heart.
Edema - swelling.
Edwards syndrome - also known as Trisomy 18; there are three instead of the normal two chromosomes #18. Children with this condition have multiple malformations and mental retardation due to the extra chromosome #18. The children characteristically have low birth weight, small head (microcephaly), small jaw (micrognathia), malformations of the heart and kidneys, clenched fists with abnormal finger positioning, and malformed feet.
Enteric tube - placement of a tube into the small bowel usually by the nasogastric route, though also via a gastrostomy or directly via a jejunostomy, for nutritional purposes.
Enteroclysis - the temporary placement of the enteric tube into the jejunum for a small bowel contrast study.
Esophagus - the tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. The esophagus lies between the trachea (windpipe) and the spine. It passes down the neck, pierces the diaphragm just to the left of the midline, and joins the cardiac (upper) end of the stomach.
ET tube - endotracheal tube; a tube placed through the patient's nose or mouth to help provide mechanical or manual ventilation.
Evacuate - to drain.
EXIT to ECMO - Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT); a cesarean section in which the infant is removed from the uterus but the umbilical cord is not cut until after surgery connecting the child to ECMO (extra corporeal membrane oxygenation).
Extubate - to remove a tube from a hollow organ or passageway, often from the airway.