Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A vertical outgrowth of bone from a vertebra, seen in ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter’s syndrome, and psoriatic arthritis. Fusion of syndesmophytes across the joints between vertebrae contributes to rigidity of the spine, seen in advanced cases of these diseases. A bony bridge formed between adjacent vertebrae.  

Congenital fusion of the lips. A birth condition where the lips are joined together, resulting in no mouth opening.  

A developmental abnormality in which there is fusion of the legs with absence of the feet. A fusion of the lower extremities.  

One of the small cells formed in the early development of nerve tissue that eventually become the neurons of the sympathetic nervous system.  

The name given by early physiologists to the substances released from sympathetic nerve endings, now known to be a mixture of epinephrine and norepinephrine.  

A developmental abnormality in which the legs appear to be fused.  

A nonmetallic drug used in the treatment of trypanosomiasis. It is usually given by slow intravenous injection. Side-effects, which vary in intensity and frequency and are related to the nutritional state of the patient, include nausea, vomiting, shock, and loss of consciousness. A drug used to treat trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness. Side-effects vary in frequency…

The application of a stain to living tissue, particularly blood cells, removed from the body.  

The closing of the eyelids when the supraorbital nerve is struck, due to contraction of the muscle surrounding the orbit (orbicularis oculi muscle). A contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle with closure of lids resulting from percussion above the supraorbital nerve.  

An anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of severe forms of epilepsy. The drug is given by mouth and mild side-effects may develop in some patients, including muscular incoordination, loss of appetite, and headache.