Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

causes the formation of cysts, which
may be painful and can grow to a size as
large as a grapefruit.
The symptoms of endometriosis vary
greatly, with abnormal or heavy men-
strual bleeding being most common.
There may be severe abdominal pain
and/or lower back pain during menstru-
ation. Other possible symptoms include
dyspareunia (see intercourse, painful),
diarrhoea, constipation, and pain dur-
ing defaecation; in rare cases, there is
bleeding from the rectum. Sometimes,
endometriosis causes no symptoms.
Laparoscopyconfirms the diagnosis.
Drugs (including danazol, progestogen
drugs, gonadorelinanalogues, or the
combined oral contraceptivepill) may
be given to prevent menstruation. In
some cases, local ablation of the en-
dometrial deposit, using either laseror
electrocauteryduring laparoscopy, may
be needed. If the woman is not infertile,
pregnancy often results in significant
improvement of the condition. A hys-
terectomy may be suggested if the
woman does not want children.
endometritisInflammation of the en-
dometriumthat results from infection.
Endometritis is a feature of pelvic
inflammatory disease. It may also be a
complication of abortionor childbirth,
occur after insertion of an IUD, or be
the result of a sexually transmitted infec-
tion. Symptoms include fever, vaginal
discharge, and lower abdominal pain.
Treatment includes removing any for-
eign body (such as an IUD or retained
placental tissue) and antibiotic drugs.
endometriumThe lining of the inside
of the uterus. The endometrium con-
tains numerous glands and gradually
increases in thickness during the men-
strual cycle (see menstruation) until
ovulationoccurs. The surface layers are
shed during menstruation if conception
does not take place.
endorphinsA group of proteinmole-
cules produced in the body that relieve
pain by activating opiatereceptors in
the nervous system. Endorphins have a
similar chemical structure to the pain-
relieving drug morphine. In addition,
endorphins are thought to be involved
in the body’s response to stress, as well

as in regulating intestinal contractions,

determining mood, and controlling the

release of certain hormones from the

pituitary gland. (See also enkephalins.)

endoscopeA tube-like viewing instru-

ment that is inserted into a body cavity

to investigate or treat disorders. Endo-

scopes can be either flexible or rigid,

depending on the part of the body to be

examined. A flexible fibre-opticendo-

scope is a bundle of light-transmitting

fibres. At the head, it has an eyepiece,

steering device, and power source; at

the tip, there is a light, a lens, an outlet

for air or water, and sometimes a cam-

era that transmits a picture to a screen.

Side channels enable various surgical

instruments to be passed down the

endoscope. A rigid endoscope is a

straight tube with a light attached.

endoscopyExamination of a body cavi-

ty for diagnosis or treatment by means

of an endoscope. Endoscopy makes use

of both fibre-opticsand video technolo-

gy, and enables almost any hollow

ENDOMETRITIS ENDOSCOPY

E

Power cable

Cable for light source

Eyepiece

Attachment

for water

and/or air

Tip

Instrument

control

Port for

instruments

Tip of endoscope

ENDOSCOPE

RIGID ENDOSCOPE

FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPE

Steering

control

Eye

piece