Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

ecchymotic
Characterized by ecchymosis.
ECG
Electrocardiogram.
echocardiography
A diagnostic test of the heart
that uses ultrasound waves to form images of the
heart chambers, valves, and surrounding structures.
Echocardiography can measure cardiac output, and
it is a sensitive test for detecting inflammation
around the heart (pericarditis). It can also be used
to detect abnormal anatomy and infections of the
heart valves.
echolalia
The involuntary, parrot-like repetition
(echoing) of a word or phrase just spoken by
another person. Echolalia is a feature of schizophre-
nia (especially the catatonic form), Tourette syn-
drome, and other disorders. See also 
echopraxia;
schizophrenia; Tourette syndrome.
echopraxia
The involuntary imitation of the
movements of another person. Echopraxia is a fea-
ture of schizophrenia (especially the catatonic
form), Tourette syndrome, and some other neuro-
logic diseases. See also 
echolalia.
echovirus
A group of viruses found in the intes-
tinal tract. The “echo” part of the name is an
acronym for enteric cytopathic human orphan
viruses. “Orphan” implied that these viruses were
not associated with any disease. However, it is now
known that echoviruses can cause a number of dif-
ferent diseases, including rashes, diarrhea, respira-
tory infections (such as the common cold, sore
throat, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis), muscle
inflammation, meningitis, encephalitis, and inflam-
mation around the heart.
eclampsia
The presence of one or more convul-
sions in a pregnant woman who has preeclampsia.
Eclampsia is a frequent cause of maternal death in
underdeveloped countries, and it is a serious prob-
lem even in developed countries. Treatment is with
antispasmodic medication, notably magnesium sul-
fate. See also 
HELLP syndrome; preeclampsia.
ecogenetics
The interaction of genetics with the
environment. For example, persons with the genetic
disease phenylketonuria (PKU) lack an enzyme that
is needed to process the amino acid phenylalanine,
and they require a special environment: a diet low
in phenylalanine.