Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An autosomal-recessive form of macular degeneration, marked by progressive central visual loss beginning in childhood or adolescence and worsening in middle age.  

A test of dynamic stability used to assess function of the lower extremity. The patient stands on the test leg and reaches as far as possible in eight directions 45° apart (anterior, anteromedial, medial, posteromedial, posterior, posterolateral, lateral, and anterolateral) without using the reaching leg as a source of support. Scores are determined based on…

A test for the presence of starch. When an iodine solution is applied to a substance or material that contains starch, a dark blue color appears.  

A visual disturbance in which brilliant flashes are seen around light sources. It is an occasional complication of refractive keratoplasty on the eye.  

In surgery, a means of fastening tissues to one another with C-shaped clips. Staples are made of either titanium or an absorbable polymeric material. Stapling can usually be performed more rapidly than suturing. A surgical technique employed to address extreme obesity involves the partitioning of the stomach using surgical staples. This process reduces the stomach’s…

A toxin elaborated by one of the staphylococci, especially S. aureus. Among some of the toxins produced are an enterotoxin, a cause of food poisoning, and exotoxins, including a hemotoxin that lyses red blood cells, a dermonecrotic toxin, toxic shock syndrome toxin- 1, and leukocidins.  

Amputation or incision of the uvula. Cutting or removing a portion of the uvula. Making a cut into a staphyloma.  

Suture of a cleft palate. The stitching of a split soft palate.