Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

143
epidural
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epidural anesthetic
An anesthetic that is
injected into the epidural space surrounding the
fluid-filled sac (the dura) around the spine to par-
tially numb the abdomen and legs. An epidural is
used fairly commonly in childbirth, if anesthesia is
requested, and during birth by caesarean section.
epidural hematoma
See 
hematoma, epidural.
epigastrium
The part of the abdominal wall that
is above the umbilicus (belly button).
epiglottis
The flap that covers the trachea during
swallowing, so that food does not enter the lungs.
epilation
Removal of body hair, including the
hair root, by means of electrical device, tweezers, or
wax. Epilation may be performed by a dermatolo-
gist, but is more commonly done for cosmetic pur-
poses by a facial technologist or esthetician. After
epilation, the skin may be particularly sensitive. Also
known as depilation.
epilepsy
Seizure disorder. When nerve cells in
the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate up to four
times higher than normal, a sort of electrical storm,
called a seizure, occurs in the brain. Epilepsy is
characterized by a pattern of repeated seizures.
Known causes of epilepsy include head injuries,
brain tumors, lead poisoning, maldevelopment of
the brain, and genetic and infectious illnesses.
However, in half of cases, no cause can be found.
Medication can control seizures for the majority of
patients. In cases of epilepsy that cannot be man-
aged with drugs, a ketogenic diet or brain surgery
may be considered. See also 
Aicardis syndrome;
Landau-Kleffner syndrome; Lennox-Gastaut syn-
drome; Otahara syndrome; Ramsey Hunt syn-
drome; Rasmussen syndrome; Rett syndrome;
seizure; seizure disorder; seizure, tonic-clonic;
Sturge-Weber syndrome; Tassinari syndrome.