Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Oedema of the lungs
This occurs as a result of left ventricular failure. There is an abrupt increase in the venous and capillary pressure in the blood vessels supplying the lungs, followed by flooding of fluid into the interstitial spaces and alveoli. The commonest cause of acute pulmonary oedema is myocardial infarction, which reduces the ability of the left…
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Oat cell
A type of cell found in about 30 per cent of all bronchial cancers closely linked to smoking. It is highly malignant and, despite responding somewhat to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the outlook is usually poor because the growth has usually spread widely by the time it is diagnosed.
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Disorders of nose
Certain skin diseases particularly chilblain, acne, lupus and erysipelas tend to affect the nose, and may be very annoying. Redness of the skin may be caused by poor circulation in cold weather.
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Noradrenaline
A precursor of adrenaline in the medulla of the suprarenal glands. It is also present in the brain. Its main function is to mediate the transmission of impulses in the sympathetic nervous system; it also has a transmitter function in the brain. Referred to as norepinephrine, this hormone is released by specific nerve endings, primarily…
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Non conventional medicine
An umbrella term to describe alternative, complementary, folk and other types of healing practices that are outside the definition of conventional Western-type medical practice.
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Nitrous oxide gas
Also known as laughing gas, this is (at ordinary pressures) a colourless, sweetish-smelling gas. It is used with oxygen to provide relief of pain and mild anaesthesia during childbirth, during painful dental procedures, and at the site of major accidents. It has a rapid action and the effects do not last for long.
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Nitrogen mustards
The nitrogen analogues of mustard gas are among the most important ALKYLATING AGENTS used in the treatment of various forms of malignant disease. They include chlormethine, busulphan, chlorambucil and melphalan. Any of the alkylating drugs used to treat several solid and hematological malignancies such as Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, and some leukemias. Nitrogen mustards include…
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Neuromuscular blockade
In clinical practice, the transmission of impulses at the NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION may be blocked to paralyze temporarily a patient for a surgical procedure, or to assist treatment on the intensive care unit. There are two main types of drug, both of which competitively block the acetylcholine receptors on the motor end plates. (a) Depolarizing neuromuscular…
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Neurofibrils
A microscopic strand of cytoplasm that occurs in the cell body of a neurone(E) as well as in the semifluid content of the AXON of a nerve cell.
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Neisseriaceae
A family of gram-negative bacteria of which three varieties cause disease. Neisseria meningitidis (‘meningococcus’) causes meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhoea. Moraxella catarrhalis occurs in the nose and throat and sometimes causes ear infections. A family of bacteria that are spherical, gram-negative, and nonmotile.
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