MedTerm Speak

Master the language of medicine

Echocardiogram

ek-oh-KAR-dee-oh-gram

/ˌɛkoʊˈkɑːrdiəˌɡræm/

A test that uses ultrasound waves to produce live images of the heart.

Ectopic

ek-TOP-ik

/ɛkˈtɒpɪk/

In an abnormal place or position (e.g., an ectopic pregnancy or heartbeat).

Effector

ih-FEK-tur

/ɪˈfɛktər/

An organ or cell that acts in response to a stimulus.

Efferent

EF-er-unt

/ˈɛfərənt/

Conducted or conducting outward or away from something (e.g., motor nerves away from the brain).

Ejaculation

ee-jak-yoo-LAY-shun

/iˌdʒækjuˈleɪʃən/

The action of ejecting semen from the body.

Electrocardiogram

ee-lek-troh-KAR-dee-oh-gram

/iˌlɛktroʊˈkɑːrdiəˌɡræm/

A record or display of a person's heartbeat produced by electrocardiography (ECG/EKG).

Electrolytes

ee-LEK-truh-lyts

/iˈlɛktrəˌlaɪts/

Minerals in your body that have an electric charge, such as sodium and potassium.

Embolism

EM-boh-liz-um

/ˈɛmbəˌlɪzəm/

Obstruction of an artery, typically by a clot of blood or an air bubble.

Endocardium

en-doh-KAR-dee-um

/ˌɛndoʊˈkɑːrdiəm/

The thin, smooth membrane which lines the inside of the chambers of the heart.

Endocrine

EN-duh-krin

/ˈɛndəkrɪn/

Relating to glands which secrete hormones or other products directly into the blood.

Endocytosis

en-doh-sy-TOH-sis

/ˌɛndoʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/

The taking in of matter by a living cell by invagination of its membrane to form a vacuole.

Endometrium

en-doh-MEE-tree-um

/ˌɛndoʊˈmiːtriəm/

The mucous membrane lining the uterus, which thickens during the menstrual cycle.

Endothelium

en-doh-THEE-lee-um

/ˌɛndoʊˈθiːliəm/

The tissue which forms a single layer of cells lining the blood vessels and heart.

Enzyme

EN-zym

/ˈɛnzaɪm/

A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a biochemical reaction.

Eosinophil

ee-oh-SIN-oh-fil

/ˌiːəˈsɪnəfɪl/

A type of disease-fighting white blood cell often indicative of a parasitic infection or allergy.

Epidermis

ep-ih-DUR-mis

/ˌɛpɪˈdɜːrmɪs/

The surface epithelium of the skin, overlying the dermis.

Epinephrine

ep-ih-NEF-rin

/ˌɛpɪˈnɛfrɪn/

Another term for adrenaline; a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress.

Epithelium

ep-ih-THEE-lee-um

/ˌɛpɪˈθiːliəm/

The thin tissue forming the outer layer of a body's surface and lining the alimentary canal.

Erythrocyte

eh-RITH-roh-syt

/ɪˈrɪθrəˌsaɪt/

A red blood cell that (in humans) is typically a biconcave disc without a nucleus.

Erythropoietin

eh-rith-roh-POY-ih-tin

/ɪˌrɪθroʊˈpɔɪɪtɪn/

A hormone secreted by the kidneys that increases the rate of production of red blood cells.

Esophagus

ee-SOF-uh-gus

/ɪˈsɒfəɡəs/

The part of the alimentary canal which connects the throat to the stomach.

Estrogen

ES-truh-jen

/ˈɛstrədʒən/

Any of a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics.

Exocytosis

ek-soh-sy-TOH-sis

/ˌɛksoʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/

A process by which the contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through fusion with the cell membrane.

Expiration

ek-spih-RAY-shun

/ˌɛkspɪˈreɪʃən/

The act of breathing out; exhalation.