Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: Also known as EGD or upper endoscopy. A procedure that enables the examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the esophagus (the swallowing tube), stomach, and duodenum (the first portion of small bowel) using a thin flexible tube (a “scope”) that can be looked through or seen on a TV monitor. (A great crossword puzzle/trivia term!)
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- Esophagoscopy
Esophagoscopy: Examination of the esophagus by using a thin, lighted instrument.
- Esophagram
Esophagram: A series of X-ray images of the esophagus. The X-ray pictures are taken after the patient drinks a barium solution that coats and outlines the walls of the esophagus. Also called a barium swallow.
- Esophagus
Esophagus: The tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. The esophagus lies between the trachea (windpipe) and the spine. It passes down the neck, pierces the diaphragm just to the left of the midline, and joins the cardiac (upper) end of the stomach. In an adult, the esophagus is about 25 centimeters (10 […]
- ESR
ESR: Abbreviation for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a blood test that detects and monitors inflammation in the body. It measures the rate at which red blood cells (RBCs) in a test tube separate from blood serum over time, becoming sediment in the bottom of the test tube. The sedimentation rate increases with more inflammation. Also commonly […]
- Essential
Essential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressure of unknown cause). Also known as idiopathic.