guidebook. - Fanconi Anemia Research Fund

Glossary
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Epicanthal folds: Skin of the upper eyelid, from the
nose to the inner side of the eyebrow, that covers the
inner corner (canthus) of the eye. The presence of an
epicanthal fold is normal in people of Asiatic descent.
However, it may also be due to certain medical conditions.
5
Epiphysis: The growth area near the end of long bones.
A part or process of a bone that ossifies separately and,
at the end of childhood growth, becomes fused to the
main part of the bone, especially an end of a long bone.
This signals the end of linear growth.
Epithelium: Cells that line hollow organs and glands
and those that make up the outer surface of the body
to protect or enclose organs. Most produce mucus or
other secretions. Certain types of epithelial cells have
tiny hairs called cilia, which help remove foreign
substances, for example, from the respiratory tract.
Epithelial cells are arranged in single or multiple layers,
depending on the organ and location. 5
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): A herpesvirus that causes
infectious mononucleosis and is associated with
Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 1
Reactivation of the virus after organ or bone marrow
transplant can result in post-transplant lympho-proliferative
disease (PTLD) or lymphoma.
Erythroblast: An immature red blood cell. 2
Erythrocyte: Red blood cell; red blood cells go
through various stages, starting out as erythroblasts,
changing to reticulocytes, and finally becoming erythrocytes.
2