E
- ectopic
- Located away from the normal position. Synthesis in the brain of a protein that is normally produced only in skin would be called ectopic production. Ectopia cordis is a congenital defect in which the heart is found outside of its normal position in the thorax.
- efferent
- Conveying or carrying away from a center (opposite of afferent). Example: an efferent neuron carries information from the central nervous system to the periphery.
- efficacy
- Capacity for producing the desired result or effect. A drug that cures a particular disease has efficacy for treating that disease and is efficacious.
- egg transport
- Usually described as movement of the egg from the ovarian follicle into the oviduct.
- eicosanoids
- A family of hormones derived from arachadonic acid. Examples include prostaglandins, prostacyclins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes.
- emesis
- The process of vomiting.
- emulsification
- The process of preparing an emulsion.
- emulsion
- A preparation of one liquid distributed as small globules in another liquid, for example, oil droplets in water.
- enamel
- A hard, thin, translucent substance covering and protecting the dentin of a tooth crown. Composed mostly of calcium salts.
- endocrine
- The activity of a hormone or growth factors that circulates in blood, and binds to and affect cells distant from the source of secretion.
- endocrinology
- The study of the endocrine system: hormones, their receptors and the intracellular signalling pathways they invoke.
- endometrial cups
- Masses of cells derived from the equine fetus that secrete the hormone equine chorionic gonadotropin.
- endothelial cells (endothelium)
- Flat (squamous) cells that line the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The single layer of these lining cells is called endothelium.
- enteric
- Referring to the intestine, as in the 'enteric endocrine system'.
- enteric endocrine system
- Endocrine cells within the gastrointestinal tract that produce hormones that, among other things, affect GI function.
- enteric nervous system
- A set neurons within the wall of the digestive tract that regulate many aspects of digestive function.
- enterochromafin-like (ECL) cells
- A type of endocrine epithelial cell found in mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract; secretes histamine.
- enterocyte
- An epithelial cell in the lining of the intestine.
- enterogastrone
- An outdated term referring to intestinal hormones that inhibit gastric secretion and motility; this activity is attributed now to cholecystokinin and gastric inhibitory peptide.
- enteroglucagon
- A term for peptides derived from proglucagon that are produced in the intestine.
- enterokinase
- An enzyme present in the lumen-facing plasma membrane of small intestinal epithelial cells that activates the pancreatic proenzyme trypsinogen, forming trypsin.
- epinephrine
- A catecholamine hormone secreted from the adrenal medulla in response to various stressors.
- epiphysis
- Another name for the pineal gland.
- epithelium
- Layers of cells that cover body surfaces (e.g. skin) or line body cavities (e.g. lining of the intestine). Also refers to the cells that form glands.
- equine
- Pertaining to horses and their relatives.
- eructation
- Belching or elimination of gases from the proximal digestive tract. Ruminant animals are professionals at eructation.
- esophagus
- A section of the digestive tract between the mouth and stomach.
- etiology
- The cause of a condition. The etiology of measles is the measles virus.
- euploid (euploidy)
- Having the normal diploid number of chromosomes, as opposed to aneuploidy.
- ewe
- A female sheep.
- exam
- A period of extreme pain and suffering when the thought of ripping out somebodys spinal cord is all that keeps you going. (contributed by a student in the UK)
- exocrine
- Referring to secretions from epithelial cells that collect into and flow through ducts. Saliva is an example of an exocrine secretion.
- exogenous
- Deveoping or originating outside the organism. An exogenous hormone would be a hormone administered to in organism rather than synthesized within it.
- extra-
- Prefix meaning outside of or beyond. Extracellular fluid is the fluid outside the cell.
Last updated on 10/2/2004