Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An excess of fluid formed in the pleural sac. Any abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural cavity. An abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space, the space between the two membrane layers (pleural membranes) that cover the lungs and line the chest cavity. When fluids accumulate in the pleural space, lung volume is…

A space between the inner and outer pleura of the chest. Cavity in the thorax that contains the lungs. The space between the visceral and parietal ‘pleura, which is normally very small as the pleural membranes are in close contact. The introduction of fluid (pleural effusion) or gas separates the pleural surfaces and increases the…

Referring to the pleura.  

One of two membranes lining the chest cavity and covering each lung. Pleurae, delicate membrane covering the lungs and the inner surface of the chest; it is divided into the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura, which lines the chest wall and covers the diaphragm. Between the two layers of the…

A method of recording the changes in the volume of organs, mainly used to measure blood flow in the limbs. A noninvasive diagnostic technique that measures small changes in the volume of a body part; often used to diagnose abnormal conditions of arteries and veins. The process of recording the changes in the volume of…

Referring to an appearance that is due to dilatation of superficial blood vessels, e.g. a red complexion.  

Too much blood in a part of the body. Excess of blood or other body fluid. A condition of fullness of the blood vessels in a particular part or in the whole body. This results in a florid, red appearance of the affected area, particularly the face. The volume of blood may be increased (polycythaemia)…

A little hammer with a rubber tip, used by doctors to tap tendons to test for reflexes or for percussion of the chest. A small hammer used to investigate nervous reflexes and in the technique of percussion.  

Treatment to help the partially sighted. Special techniques practiced by orthoptists for developing normal function of the macula (the most sensitive part of the retina), in people whose macular function has previously been disturbed because of strabismus (squint).  

A condition in which there are an unusual number of leucocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid. The presence of an abnormally large number of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord. An excessive number of cells in a body fluid; used especially to denote excessive lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid.