Category: E

  • Elope

    To run away secretly with a lover, especially to marry.  

  • Ellis-van Creveld syndrome

    A congenital syndrome consisting of polydactyly, chondrodysplasia with acromelic dwarfism, hydrotic ectodermal dysplasia, and congenital heart defects. It is thought to be transmitted as an autosomal trait.  

  • Elliptocyte

    An oval-shaped red blood cell. About 11% to 15% of red blood cells are normally oval, but in anemia and hereditary elliptocytosis, the percentage is increased to 25% to 100%. In birds, reptiles, and some other animals, the red cells are normally elliptocytes.  

  • Ellipsis

    In psychoanalysis, omission by the patient of important words or ideas during treatment.  

  • Ellagic acid

    An antioxidant and anticancer polyphenol found in strawberries, raspberries, and pecans, among other foods.  

  • Eligible for organ donation

    Any person who is expected to die in the near future, is under 70 years old, and is free of excluded medical conditions for organ donation such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection, or leukemia.  

  • Eligible

    Qualified to be considered a candidate for some role, e.g., membership in a professional society or enrollment in an insurance program or a research study.  

  • Elfin

    Having the facial appearance of an elf. The term is used to describe the facial structure of children with Williams syndrome.  

  • Eleventh cranial nerve

    The motor nerve, made up of a cranial and a spinal part, that supplies the trapezius and sternomastoid muscles and the pharynx. The accessory portion joins the vagus to supply motor fibers to the pharynx, larynx, and heart. A motor nerve that controls the motion of the neck and shoulder muscles.  

  • Eleutherococcus senticosus

    The scientific name for Russian ginseng, also known as Siberian ginseng.