Author: Glossary
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Eccentro-osteochondrodysplasia
A pathological condition of bones caused by imperfect bone formation. Ossification occurs in several different centers instead of in one common center.
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Eccentric viewing
A method of scanning peripheral visual fields to optimize vision in patients with diseases that cause central visual loss, such as macular degeneration.
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Ecarin
A prothrombin activator purified from the venom of the Indian saw-scaled viper. It is used in laboratory assays of anticoagulation by prothrombin inhibitors such as hirudin.
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Ebullism
Formation of water vapor in body tissue, which occurs when the body is exposed to extreme reduction in barometric pressure.
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Ebstein’s anomaly
A congenital heart condition resulting from downward displacement of the tricuspid valve from the anulus fibrosus. It causes fatigue, palpitations, and dyspnea.
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Ebonation
Removal of bony fragments from a wound.
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Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever
An often fatal viral disease that has appeared in sporadic outbreaks in Africa. The clinical presentation of widespread bleeding into many organs and fever is similar to that seen in Lassa, Marburg, and Congo-Crimean viral hemorrhagic fevers.
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Eaton agent
Mycoplasma pneumoniae , one of the causes of atypical pneumonia.
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Ear thermometry
Determination of the temperature of the tympanic membrane by use of a device for rapidly sensing infrared radiation from the membrane. Commercially available devices do this in 3 sec. The convenience of assessing body temperature using this method is obvious, but if the probe is left in the ear canal for more than a few…
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Earth eating
Eating of clay or dirt, sometimes by children as a form of pica.