Glossary

early childhood

stage in human development commonly accepted to be between the ages of 3-5 years.

eburnation

the polished appearance of a bone due to cartilaginous damage and the contact of bone to bone at a joint.

ecological niche

the place that an organism or a group of organisms occupies in an ecosystem and its interactions with the surrounding environment.

ecology

the study of the relationship between an organism and the surrounding environment.

ecosystem

a unit in ecology that consists of organisms and non-living objects that may affect the environment.

eighth rib

lower, false rib.

eighth thoracic

eight vertebra forming the mid back.

eleventh rib

lower, floating rib.

eleventh thoracic

eleventh vertebra forming the mid back.

enamel

a very hard substance that covers the dentine on the crown of a tooth.

endocranial capacity

the size of the space in the cranium where the brain sits.

environment

a geographically defined area that includes its geological and ecological settings and the biological organisms that inhabit the area.

epiphysis

the second center of ossification in long bones; separated from the shaft by an epiphyseal plate.

ethmoid

Sievelike bone which forms part of the bony nose.

etiology

the cause of a disease or abnormal condition

eversion

when the sole of the foot is turned laterally; the opposite of inversion.

evolution

descent through genetic modification; a change in gene allele frequencies from one generation to the next.

exaptation

an evolved character whose current use is not the same as its original use.

extant

species that are living, opposite of extinct.

extension

a movement to increase the angle between a joint; see also flexion.

extinct

a species that no longer exists; may only be identifiable through the fossil record or eye witness accounts. Some animals have gone extinct in the historical period.