Glossary
E
ear
The organ of hearing; the external ear
ear cap
worn to prevent and correct 'outstanding' ears
ear trumpet
A funnel-shaped instrument for people with hearing difficulties. The trumpet is designed to gather sound waves and direct them into the ear canal. The short end of the funnel was held to the ear by the user, and the large end directed toward the sound.
earthenware
Pottery made of clay which is fired at a relatively low temperature. Earthenware is often semi-porous, meaning some liquid or air can pass through it. This can be altered by treating the pottery with a glaze.
ecraseur
An instrument used to cut the base of a tumor during surgery. An obsolete term for a snare, especially one of enough strength to cut through the base or pedicle of a tumour.
eczema
A common skin disease where the skin becomes inflamed, it is characterized by itching and bleeding.
educational toy
Toy with an educational or teaching component.
effigy
Sculptured representation of the deceased on a tomb.
elective surgery
Non-essential surgery performed by choice and often used to improve ‘quality of life’.
electric switch
Usually a device that is used to connect or disconnect an electric current to an electric circuit
electricity
Any effect resulting from the existence of stationary or moving electric charges.
electrocardiograph
used to record the electrical activity of the heart
electrocorticography set
electroencephalography ( EEG, is a neurological test that uses an electronic monitoring device to measure and record electrical activity in the brain) with the electrodes applied directly to the cerebral cortex.
electrodes
A conductor which enables a current to go in or out of a particular object, substance or region.
electromagnet
Magnet constructed from a soft iron core around which is wound a coil of wire. A magnetic field is generated when an electric current is passed through the wire.
electromagnetic induction
Use of magnetism to produce an electromotive force (emf). If a bar magnet is pushed through a wire coil, an electric current is induced, in the coil, as long as the magnet is moving. By the same principle, an electric current is induced in the coil if it is rotated around the magnet,
electron microscope
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons, instead of light, to produce highly magnified images of objects. As electrons have a much smaller wavelength than visible light, this allows a much higher resolution to be achieved
electrophoresis
The process of separating electrons in a solution by passing an electric current through it.
electrophysiology
Branch of physiology that is concerned with the electric phenomena in living bodies.
electrostatic machine
mechanical device that produces static electricity, or electricity at high voltage and low continuous current.