Medical Glossary

Terms starting with E

DehydrationExsikkose: Exsiccosis is pronounced dehydration of the body caused by a lack of fluids. It particularly affects older people and children and shows itself through dry mucous membranes, weakness and confusion, among other signs.
ECGEKG: The ECG (electrocardiogram) records the electrical activity of the heart via electrodes placed on the skin. It is a painless standard examination used to assess the heart rhythm and possible circulatory problems.
EchocardiographyEchokardiographie: Echocardiography is an ultrasound examination of the heart. It shows in real time how the heart chambers and heart valves move, and measures the pumping performance. The examination is painless and involves no radiation exposure.
EczemaEkzem: Eczema is a non-contagious inflammation of the skin with redness, itching, scaling or small blisters. It can be triggered by allergies, irritants or dry skin and often occurs in flare-ups.
EEG: The EEG (electroencephalogram) measures the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp. It is used, for example, when epilepsy is suspected or in cases of sleep disorders, and is completely painless.
EffusionErguss: An effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in a cavity or tissue, for example in the knee joint (joint effusion) or in the chest cavity. A bruise is an accumulation of blood in the tissue.
EjaculationEjakulation: Ejaculation is the emission of semen, that is, the discharge of seminal fluid from the penis at climax. Disorders of ejaculation can have various physical or psychological causes.
Ejection fractionEjektionsfraktion: The ejection fraction describes what proportion of the blood the left ventricle expels with each heartbeat. It is an important measure of the heart's pumping performance and is usually determined by ultrasound.
ElectrolytesElektrolyte: Electrolytes are dissolved mineral salts in the blood such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. They are important for the fluid balance and for nerve and muscle function, and are frequently checked in the laboratory.
EmbolismEmbolie: In an embolism, a clot or other material that has been carried along in the bloodstream suddenly blocks a blood vessel. The lung vessels are frequently affected (pulmonary embolism). Depending on the location, an embolism can be life-threatening.
EmbryoEmbryo: Embryo is the term for the unborn child during the first eight weeks of pregnancy, when the organs are formed. After that it is referred to as a foetus.
EmphysemaEmphysem: In pulmonary emphysema, the fine air sacs of the lungs are over-expanded and partly destroyed, so that the lungs are less able to exchange air. The typical consequence is increasing shortness of breath. The main cause is many years of smoking.
EncephalitisEnzephalitis: Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, usually caused by viruses. Typical signs are fever, headache, confusion or seizures. It is a medical emergency.
EndocarditisEndokarditis: Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, affecting above all the heart valves. It is usually caused by bacteria and can permanently damage the valves.
Endocrine glandEndokrine Drüse: An endocrine gland releases its messenger substances, the hormones, directly into the blood. Examples include the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands and the pancreas.
EndocrinologyEndokrinologie: Endocrinology is the medical speciality concerned with hormones and the hormone-producing glands. It covers, for example, diseases of the thyroid gland, of the adrenal glands, or diabetes.
EndometriosisEndometriose: In endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the womb becomes established outside the uterus. It responds to the monthly cycle and can cause severe menstrual pain, chronic lower abdominal pain and infertility.
EndometriumEndometrium: The endometrium is the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the uterus. It builds up during the monthly cycle and is shed again during menstruation.
EndoprosthesisEndoprothese: An endoprosthesis is an artificial joint replacement that remains permanently in the body, for example an artificial hip or knee joint. It replaces a joint damaged by wear or injury.
EndoscopyEndoskopie: In an endoscopy, a thin, flexible tube with a camera is introduced into the body in order to view hollow organs from the inside. This allows the stomach, bowel or bronchi, for example, to be examined and tissue samples to be taken.
EnteritisEnteritis: Enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine, frequently triggered by viruses or bacteria. It typically presents with diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and sometimes vomiting.
EnuresisEnuresis: Enuresis is the term for involuntary wetting, usually at night, in children beyond the age at which they are normally dry. It often has harmless causes and frequently resolves as the child grows.
EnzymeEnzym: Enzymes are proteins that speed up and control chemical reactions in the body, for example during digestion or in the metabolism. Certain enzymes in the blood provide information about the function of organs such as the liver or heart.
EosinophilsEosinophile: Eosinophils are a subgroup of the white blood cells. Elevated levels in the blood are frequently found in allergies, asthma or certain parasitic infections.
EpicrisisEpikrise: The epicrisis is the concluding medical assessment of the course of an illness, usually contained in the hospital discharge report. It summarises the diagnoses, examinations, treatment and the further course.
EpidermisEpidermis: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It forms the protective barrier against environmental influences and renews itself continuously.
Epidural anaesthesiaEpiduralanästhesie: Epidural anaesthesia is an anaesthetic procedure close to the spinal cord in which an anaesthetic is injected into the space around the membranes of the spinal cord. It is frequently used for low-pain childbirth or for operations on the lower body.
EpilepsyEpilepsie: Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain with recurring seizures caused by uncontrolled electrical discharges of nerve cells. The seizures can look very different, ranging from brief absences to violent twitching of the whole body.
ERCP: ERCP is a combined endoscopic and X-ray examination of the bile ducts and the pancreatic ducts. Contrast medium is introduced through an endoscope in order to make stones or narrowed areas visible and in some cases to treat them straight away.
Erosion: An erosion is a superficial loss of tissue in a mucous membrane or the skin that affects only the uppermost layer. Unlike an ulcer, it usually heals without leaving a scar.
ErysipelasErysipel: Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the upper layers of the skin that appears as a sharply defined, painful reddening with overheating. Fever and a general feeling of illness often occur as well.
ErythemaErythem: An erythema is a flat reddening of the skin caused by increased blood flow. It can be triggered by inflammation, sun, heat or allergic reactions.
ErythrocytesErythrozyten: Erythrocytes are the red blood cells. They contain the red blood pigment haemoglobin and transport oxygen from the lungs to the organs.
ErythropoietinErythropoetin: Erythropoietin is a hormone that is produced mainly in the kidney and stimulates the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. A deficiency, for example in kidney weakness, can lead to anaemia.
EuthyroidismEuthyreose: Euthyroidism refers to normal thyroid function with a balanced hormone level. The term is the opposite of an overactive or underactive thyroid.
ExacerbationExazerbation: Exacerbation refers to a marked worsening of an existing, often chronic, illness. One example is an acute flare-up in chronic bronchitis.
ExanthemExanthem: An exanthem is a suddenly appearing skin rash that affects larger areas of the body. Common causes are infections, especially in childhood, or reactions to medication.
ExtrasystoleExtrasystole: An extrasystole is an additional heartbeat outside the normal rhythm, often felt as a skipped beat or a flutter. Isolated extrasystoles also occur in people with healthy hearts and usually have no clinical significance.
Extubation: Extubation is the removal of the breathing tube from the windpipe once a patient is able to breathe independently again. It usually takes place at the end of an anaesthetic or a period of mechanical ventilation.
Fallopian tubeEileiter: The fallopian tubes are two fine passages that connect the ovaries with the uterus. In them the egg cell is fertilised after ovulation and transported to the uterus.
InflammationEntzündung: Inflammation is the body's defensive reaction to irritants such as pathogens, injuries or foreign substances. Typical signs are redness, swelling, warmth, pain and impaired function.
Nutritional counsellingErnährungsberatung: Nutritional counselling helps people adapt their diet to health goals or medical conditions, for example in the case of diabetes, excess weight or food intolerances. It is a recognised service within the healthcare system.
Occupational therapyErgotherapie: Occupational therapy helps people to better manage everyday activities again after an illness or injury, or when living with a disability. Training focuses on areas such as mobility, fine motor skills and independence in daily life.
Pathogen diagnosticsErregerdiagnostik: Pathogen testing determines which germ is causing an infection, for example from blood, a swab or urine. The result helps in choosing the appropriate treatment.
RectumEnddarm: The terminal bowel is the last section of the large intestine and comprises the rectum and the anus. Stool is collected and excreted through it.