Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

enterocele
A vaginal hernia. Protrusion of the
small intestine into the upper wall of the vagina.
enterocentesis
The use of a hollow needle
inserted through the wall of the stomach or intestine
to relieve pressure from gas or fluid buildup.
enterococcus
Bacteria normally found in the
feces. Two types, Enterococcus fecalis and
Enterococcus fecium, cause human disease, most
commonly in the form of urinary tract and wound
infections. Other infections, including those of the
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blood stream (bacteremia), heart valves (endocardi-
tis), and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely
ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colo-
nize open wounds and skin ulcers, and are among
the most common antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
enterocolitis, Crohn’s
See 
Crohn’s enterocolitis.
enterogenous
Carried within the intestine. For
example, an enterogenous bacterial infection is a
bacterial infection within the intestine.
enteropathy
A disease of the intestine.
enteropathy, gluten
See 
celiac sprue.
enteropathy, protein-losing
A condition in
which an excessive amount of plasma protein is lost
into the intestine. Protein-losing enteropathy can be
due to diverse causes, including celiac sprue, exten-
sive ulceration of the intestine, intestinal lymphatic
blockage, and infiltration of leukemic cells into the
intestinal wall.
enterospasm
A painful, intense contraction of
the intestine.
enterostomal therapist
A health care specialist
who is trained to help patients care for and adjust to
their colostomies.
enterostomy
An operation that opens the small
intestine and brings it through the abdominal wall to
create a new opening (stoma) to permit intestinal
draining. See also 
colostomy; ostomy.
enterovirus
A virus that comes into the body
through the gastrointestinal tract and thrives there,
often moving on to attack the nervous system.
Enteroviruses include the polioviruses, rhinoviruses,
and echoviruses. See also 
polio.