Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

149
Eustachian tube
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adulthood. For this reason the nasopharyngeal
opening in an adult is significantly below the tym-
panic opening, found in the middle ear near the
eardrum. The shorter length and the horizontal ori-
entation of the Eustachian tube in infancy protects
the middle ear poorly, makes for poor drainage of
fluid from the middle ear, and predisposes infants
and young children to middle ear infection. The
greater length and particularly the slope of the tube
as it grows serve more effectively to protect, aerate,
and drain the middle ear. The Eustachian tube in the
adult is opened by two muscles, the tensor palati
and the levator palati, but the anatomy of children
permits only the tensor palati to work. Also known
as otopharyngeal tube because it connects the ear to
the pharynx and auditory tube.
euthanasia
The hastening of death for a termi-
nally ill patient. Euthanasia is from the Greek for
“dying well.” See also 
active euthanasia; assisted
suicide; eugenics.
euthyroid
The state of having normal thyroid
gland function. See also 
hyperthyroid; hypothyroid.
evacuation supplies kit
See 
disaster supplies.
evening primrose oil
A natural source of essen-
tial fatty acids (EFOs).
event, adverse
In pharmacology, an unexpected
or dangerous reaction to a drug.
evidence-based medicine
The judicious use of
the best current available scientific research in
making decisions about the care of patients.
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is intended to inte-
grate clinical expertise with the research evidence
and patient values.