Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Voice and speech
Terms applied to the sounds produced in the upper air passages which form one, of the means of communication between human beings. Air passes through the larynx to produce the fundamental notes and tones known as voice. This is then modified during its passage through the mouth so as to form speech or song.
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Vitreous body
A semi-fluid, transparent substance which fills most of the globe of the eye behind the lens. A jelly-like substance within the eye that fills the space between the lens and the retina. It is colorless and transparent. It may contain minute particles called “floaters.”
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Visual evoked response
Stimulation of the retina of the eye with light causes changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex. These changes can be measured from outside the skull and can give valuable information about the state of the visual pathway from the retinal ganglion cells to the occipital cortex. Not only can it determine that…
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Field of vision
When the eye looks at a specific point or object, that point is seen clearly. Other objects within a large area away from this fixation point can also be seen, but less clearly. The area that can be seen around the fixation point, without moving the eye, is known as the field of vision. The…
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Disorders of vision
The list of disorders resulting in diminished vision is huge. Disturbance of vision can result from an uncorrected refractive error, disease or injury of the cornea, iris, lens, vitreous, retina, choroid or sclera of the eye. It may also result from disease or injury to the structures comprising the visual pathway from the retina to…
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Viral haemorrhagic fever
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, or ebola virus disease. A usually fatal infection caused by a virus related to that of marburg disease. Two large outbreaks were recorded in 1976 (one in the Sudan and one in Zaire), with a mortality, respectively, of 50 and 80 per cent, and the disease reappeared in the Sudan in 1979.…
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Vinorelbine
A semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid cytotoxic drug used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer, when anthracycline cytotoxic antibiotics such as doxorubicin have failed. Vinorelbine is also used to treat advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. As with all vinca alkaloids, the drug has neurotoxic effects, usually affecting the peripheral nervous system and autonomic nervous system. It may…
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Vinca alkaloids
A group of powerful cytotoxic (anticancer) drugs used to treat acute leukaemia lymphoma and some solid tumours such as breast and lung cancers. Originally derived from the periwinkle plant, the latest vinca alkaloid (vinorelbine) is a semi-synthetic drug. These alkaloids, which are given intravenously, have potentially serious side-effects on the nervous system and also suppress…
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Vestibulo ocular reflex
Eye movement that occurs after or during the slow injection of 20 ml of ice-cold water into each external auditory meatus in turn, used as a test for inner ear function.
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Vertebrobasilar insuffiency
Intermittent incidents of double vision, dizziness, weakness and speaking difficulties caused by a reduced blood supply to parts of the brain. The cause is usually obstruction in the basilar, vertebral and other arteries at the base of the brain. The condition is sometimes the precursor of a stroke.
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