Effusion, pericardial
Effusion, pericardial: Too much fluid within the fibrous sac (pericardium) that surrounds the heart. The inner surface of the pericardium is lined by a layer of flat cells (mesothelial cells) that normally secrete a small amount of fluid, which acts as a lubricant to allow normal heart movement within the chest. A pericardial effusion involves the presence of an excessive amount of pericardial fluid, a pale yellow serous fluid, within the pericardium.
Read Also:
- Effusion, pleural
Effusion, pleural: Excess fluid between the two membranes that cover the lungs (the visceral and parietal pleurae) separating the lungs from the chest wall. A small quantity of fluid is normally spread thinly over the visceral and parietal pleurae and acts as a lubricant between the two membranes. Any significant increase in the quantity of […]
- EGF
EGF: Epidermal growth factor. A polypeptide (small protein) that is a powerful mitogen. (It stimulates cells to enter mitosis, cell division. ) EGF promotes cell growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is important in wound healing. It is produced by many normal cell types and is made in large amounts by some tumors. […]
- EGFR
EGFR: Epidermal growth factor receptor. A protein found on the surface of cells to which epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds. When EGF attaches to EGFR, it activates the enzyme tyrosine kinase, triggering reactions that cause the cells to grow and multiply. EGFR is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of […]
- Egg sac
Egg sac: The “egg sac” or ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries have two functions: production of eggs (ova) and female hormones. Each month, […]
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
A heritable disorder of connective tissue that is characterized by easy bruising, joint hypermobility (loose joints), skin laxity, and weakness of tissues. Abbreviated EDS. There are a number of different types of EDS, each of which has these characteristic features. The variations of EDS are treated according to their particular manifestations. Skin protection (against injury […]