Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

effusion, pleural
Excess fluid between the two
membranes that cover the lungs (the visceral and
parietal pleurae) separating the lungs from the
chest wall. A small quantity of fluid is normally
spread thinly over the visceral and parietal pleurae
and acts as a lubricant between the two membranes.
Any significant increase in the quantity of pleural
fluid is a pleural effusion. The most common symp-
toms of pleural effusion are chest pain and painful
breathing (pleurisy). Many pleural effusions cause
no symptoms but are discovered during physical
examination or detected on chest X-rays; X-ray is the
most convenient way to confirm the diagnosis.
Pleural effusion can be caused by heart and kidney
failure, hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin in
the blood), infections, pulmonary embolism, and
malignancies.
EGD
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. See 
endoscopy,
upper.
egg
See 
ovum.
EGG
See 
electrogastrogram.
egg sac
See 
ovary.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
A heritable disorder
of connective tissue that is characterized by easy
bruising, joint hypermobility (loose joints), skin
laxity, and weakness of tissues. Abbreviated EDS.
There are a number of different types of EDS, each
of which has these characteristic features. The vari-
ations of EDS are treated according to their particu-
lar manifestations. Skin protection (against injury of
trauma, sun, and so on) is critical. Wounds must be
tended to with great care, and infections must be
treated and prevented. Suturing can be difficult
because the skin can be extremely fragile. Joint
injury must be avoided, and bracing may sometimes
be necessary to maintain joint stability. Exercises
that strengthen the muscles that support the joints
can help to minimize joint injury. Contact sports and
activities involving joint impact should be avoided.
ehrlichiosis
An acute tick-borne disease first
reported in humans in 1986. Erlichiosis is due to
infection by the rickettsia microbe, Ehrlichia canis,
which is usually carried by the brown dog tick.
Erlichiosis is similar to Rocky Mountain spotted
fever, characterized by high fever, headache,
malaise, and muscle pain, but without the rash. See
also 
rickettsial diseases.