| ECM | electronic claims management; embryonic chick muscle; erythema chronicum migrans; experimental cereb... |
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| EM | early memory; ejection murmur; electromagnetic; electron micrograph; electron microscopy, electron m... |
| GMH | germinal matrix hemorrhage |
| GMRH | germinal matrix related hemorrhage |
| MMP | matrix metalloproteinase; muscle mechanical power |
| external matrix | The substance occupying the space between the inner and outer membrane of any organelle (e.g., mitochondria) with a double membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| extracellular matrix | Any material produced by cells and secreted into the surrounding medium, but usually applied to the noncellular portion of animal tissues. The ecm of connective tissue is particularly extensive and the properties of the ecm determine the properties of the tissue. In broad terms there are three major components: fibrous elements particularly collagen, elastin or reticulin), link proteins (e.g. Fibronectin, laminin) and space filling molecules (usually glycosaminoglycans). The matrix may be mineralised to resist compression (as in bone) or dominated by tension resisting fibres (as in tendon). The basal lamina of epithelial cells is another commonly encountered ecm. Although ecm is produced by cells, it has recently become clear that the ecm can influence the behaviour of cells quite markedly, an important factor to consider when growing cells in vitro: removing cells from their normal environment can have far reaching effects. (18 Nov 1997) |
| extracellular matrix proteins | Macromolecular organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually, sulfur. These macromolecules (proteins) form an intricate meshwork in which cells are embedded to construct tissues. Variations in the relative types of macromolecules and their organization determine the type of extracellular matrix, each adapted to the functional requirements of the tissue. The two main classes of macromolecules that form the extracellular matrix are: glycosaminoglycans, usually linked to proteins (proteoglycans), and fibrous proteins (e.g., collagen, elastin, fibronectins and laminin). (12 Dec 1998) |
| accessory cartilage | A sesamoid cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accessory quadrate cartilage | The two to four cartilaginous plates of the wing of the nose posterior to the greater alar cartilage. Synonym: cartilagines alares minores, accessory quadrate cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alisphenoid cartilage | The cartilage in the embryo from which the greater wing of the sphenoid bone is developed. (05 Mar 2000) |
| annular cartilage | <anatomy> The lower most of the laryngeal cartilages, may be palpated just below the thyroid prominence Adjacent the cricoid cartilage and the first tracheal ring is the cricothyroid membrane, a site used for rapid emergency airway access (cricothyroidotomy). (13 Nov 1997) |
| apex of arytenoid cartilage | The pointed upper end of the cartilage which supports the corniculate cartilage and the aryepiglottic fold. Synonym: apex cartilaginis arytenoideae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arch of cricoid cartilage | The narrow part of the cartilage that encircles the air passage anterior to the lamina. Synonym: arcus cartilaginis cricoideae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arcuate crest of arytenoid cartilage | The ridge on the anterior surface of the arytenoid cartilage that separates the triangular from the oblong fovea. Synonym: crista arcuata cartilaginis arytenoideae, arched crest, arcuate crest. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arthrodial cartilage | The cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the bones participating in a synovial joint. Synonym: cartilago articularis, arthrodial cartilage, diarthrodial cartilage, investing cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| articular cartilage | The cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the bones participating in a synovial joint. Synonym: cartilago articularis, arthrodial cartilage, diarthrodial cartilage, investing cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| articular surface of arytenoid cartilage | The oval surface on the undersurface of the muscular process of the arytenoid for articulation with the cricoid cartilage. Synonym: facies articularis cartilaginis arytenoideae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arytenoid cartilage | One of a pair of small pyramidal cartilages that articulate with the lamina of the cricoid cartilage. The corresponding vocal ligament and several muscles are attached to it. (12 Dec 1998) |
| auricular cartilage | The cartilage of the auricle. Synonym: cartilago auriculae, cartilage of ear, conchal cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |