Epiphenomenon
Epiphenomenon: 1. An additional symptom or condition that appears during the course of a disease. A doctor might ask if you have noticed any epiphenomena recently as a way of inquiring as to whether you have experienced additional symptoms or signs of illness.
2. Any occurrence that is accidental, accessory, or incidental to a cause-and-effect relationship. An increase in breast cancer risk with antibiotic usage may be an epiphenomenon if it is not the antibiotic, but the reason for the antibiotic use, namely inflammation, that is associated with breast cancer.
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Episclera: A thin membrane that covers the sclera (the white of the eye). “Epi-” is a prefix from the Greek that means “on, upon, at, by, near, over, on top of, toward, against, among.” Episclera = on top of the sclera.
- Episcleritis
Episcleritis: Inflammation of the episclera, a thin membrane that covers the white of the eye (sclera). Episcleritis is typically benign, easily treated with topical anti-inflammatory drops, and usually quickly resolved. Episcleritis can sometimes accompany other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Episiotomy
A surgical procedure for widening the outlet of the birth canal to facilitate delivery of the baby and to avoid a jagged rip of the area between the anus and the vulva (perineum). During an episiotomy, an incision is made between the vagina and the rectum. The usual cut goes straight down and does not […]
- Epispadias
Epispadias: Congenital (at birth) malformation in which the opening of the urethra (from whence comes the urinary stream) is on the dorsum (topside) of the penis. Hypospadias is the corresponding malformation in which the opening of the urethra is on the ventral surface (underside) of the penis.
- Epistaxis
Medical term for nosebleed. The nose is a part of the body that is very rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position on the face. As a result, any trauma to the face can cause bleeding, which may be profuse. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out, […]