Glossary of Medical Terms

A rare, inherited disorder in which many clusters of blisters form all over the body, especially on the face, hands, feet, arms, legs, and trunk. Blisters may also form in the inner lining of the mouth and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract and the upper respiratory tract. Other signs and symptoms include scarring, changes in skin color, nail problems, and thickening of the skin on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet. The signs and symptoms usually appear at birth and tend to get better over time. However, infants with a severe form of the disease die within the first year of life. People with epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Dowling-Meara have a high risk of developing basal cell skin cancer by age 55 years. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Dowling-Meara is caused by mutations (changes) in the KRT5 or KRT14 genes. Also called EBS-DM.

A narrow, tightly-coiled tube that is attached to each of the testicles (the male sex glands that produce sperm). Sperm cells (male reproductive cells) move from the testicles into the epididymis, where they finish maturing and are stored.

Having to do with the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord. An epidural injection is given into this space.

An injection of an anesthetic drug into the space between the wall of the spinal canal and the covering of the spinal cord.

A substance found in green tea. It is being studied in the prevention of cancer and some other diseases. It is a type of antioxidant. Also called EGCG.

Having to do with the upper middle area of the abdomen.

A change in the chemical structure of DNA that does not change the DNA coding sequence. Epigenetic alterations occur in the body when chemical groups called methyl groups are added to or removed from DNA or when changes are made to proteins called histones that bind to the DNA in chromosomes. These changes may occur with age and exposure to environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, drugs, and chemicals. They can affect a person’s risk of disease and may be passed from parent to child. Also called epigenetic variant and epimutation.

A change in the chemical structure of DNA that does not change the DNA coding sequence. Epigenetic variants occur in the body when chemical groups called methyl groups are added to or removed from DNA or when changes are made to proteins called histones that bind to the DNA in chromosomes. These changes may occur with age and exposure to environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, drugs, and chemicals. They can affect a person’s risk of disease and may be passed from parent to child. Also called epigenetic alteration and epimutation.

The study of how age and exposure to environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, drugs, and chemicals, may cause changes in the way genes are switched on and off without changing the actual DNA sequence. These changes can affect a person’s risk of disease and may be passed from parents to their children.

The study of all of the epigenetic changes in a cell. Epigenetic changes are changes in the way genes are switched on and off without changing the actual DNA sequence. They may be caused by age and exposure to environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, drugs, and chemicals. Epigenetic changes can affect a person’s risk of disease and may be passed from parents to their children.