Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The transfer of specified doses of a medication from a manufacturer’s bulk container to smaller containers used by patients and/or dispensing institutions.  

A family of double-stranded RNA viruses that includes many members that produce human disease, including the rotaviruses (prominent causes of nonbacterial diarrhea in children) and coltiviruses (the cause of Colorado tick fever).  

Closure of a structure (e.g., a blood vessel) that had been previously stenosed and then unclogged by mechanical dilation or the use of medications.  

An interneuron of the spinal cord that inhibits motor neurons.  

The antecedent or zymogen from which rennin is formed; the inactive form of rennin.  

Surgical puncture of the renal capsule.  

A scintigraphic method of determining renal function, size, and shape. A radioactive substance that concentrates in the kidney is given intravenously. The radiation emitted from the substance as it accumulates in the kidneys is recorded on a suitable photographic film.  

Destruction of the papillae of the kidney, usually as a result of pyelonephritis, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, urinary obstruction, or the toxic effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the necrotic tissue sloughs into the ureters, it may cause renal colic similar to the pain caused by a kidney stone.  

One of several kidney function tests based on the kidney’s ability to eliminate a given substance in a standard time. Urea, phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP), and other substances are employed.