Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The mucous membrane of the mouth can indicate the health of the individual and of internal organs. For example, pallor or pigmentation may indicate Anaemia, Jaundice or Addison’s disease.  

The study of the structural changes that diseases cause in the body, in particular those which can be seen with the naked eye at postmortem examination. Also known as pathological anatomy, this field examines the structural alterations in body tissues caused by disease, particularly those changes observable without the aid of magnification.  

A screening test, performed on blood, which indicates the likelihood of infection with Epstein Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis.  

Monoclonal antibodies are a relatively new class of drugs used to treat a wide range of diseases, from cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS) to rheumatoid arthritis and severe asthma. They can be recognized as such by their generic drug names, all of which end in ‘mab’.  

Irregularly shaped areas of bluish-black pigmentation found occasionally on the buttocks, lower back or upper arms in newborn infants of African, Chinese and Japanese parentage, and sometimes in the babies of black-haired Europeans. They measure from one to several centimeters in diameter, and usually disappear in a few months. They are sometimes mistaken for bruises.…

A reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor, this drug is used as occasional treatment for patients with severe depression. Moclobemide is an antidepressant medication utilized for treating severe, unresponsive depression and social phobia. Functioning as a reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), it poses a lower risk of causing elevated blood pressure compared to other MAOIs. Nevertheless, similar…

The basic unit of length in the modern version of the metric system, known as the International System of Units (SI). It is equivalent to 39-37 inches.  

Methyl is an organic radical whose chemical formula is CH3, and which forms the centre of a wide group of substances known as the methyl group, for example, methyl alcohol  and methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen).  

Also known as Physeptone, this is a synthetic drug structurally similar to morphine, one of many opioid drugs used to treat severe pain. Methadone is less sedating, shorter lasting and more reliable when taken orally. Although vomiting is common, this is generally less severe than with morphine. A synthetic opioid analgesic with a long duration…

Also known as tympanites, this is a distension of the abdomen from excess gas or air in the intestine or peritoneal cavity. On percussion (tapping) the abdomen sounds resonant, like a drum. Causes include aerophagy (the swallowing of air), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and, uncommonly and usually associated with vomiting and absolute constipation, obstruction of…