Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A small piece of gauze or cotton wool used to protect or apply medication to a small enclosed space, such as the ear passage. A small wad of dressing material, such as lint, used either to cover a wound or sore or as a plug. A small, flat compress, usually of gauze or absorbent cotton,…

A flat muscle running from the collarbone to the lower jaw. Broad muscle, on each side of the neck, extending from the lower jaw to the region of the clavicle and involved in mouth and jaw movement. A broad thin sheet of muscle that extends from below the collar bone to the angle of the…

A test to count the number of platelets in a specific quantity of blood. The number of platelets (thrombocytes) in a sample of whole blood. Platelets, essential in blood clotting, may be reduced in number in some diseases of the blood and after chemotherapy.  

A surgeon who specialises in plastic surgery. A physician who specializes in reconstructive or cosmetic surgery to correct damage and defects or to alter appearance, through the techniques of plastic surgery. A physician who specializes in plastic surgery, the technique of repairing visible defects that result from injuries, burns, or disease. Plastic surgeons also operate…

A yellow liquid produced by an inflamed wound which helps the healing process. A transparent yellowish liquid produced in a wound or other site of inflammation, in which connective tissue cells and blood vessels develop during healing.  

An artificial material made from petroleum, and used to make many objects, including replacement organs.  

A hard support made of bandage soaked in liquid plaster of Paris, which is allowed to harden after being wrapped round a broken limb and which prevents the limb moving while the bone heals. Rigid dressing made of gauze impregnated with plaster of Paris, used to immobilize an injured part, especially in bone fractures.  

A protein in plasma, e.g. albumin, gamma globulin or fibrinogen. Any of various proteins in blood plasma, including fibrinogen and prothrombin, important for blood coagulation, and immunoglobulins, important in immune response. A protein compound occurring in plasma, the liquid component of blood. There are hundreds of different types of proteins in plasma. These proteins have…

A malignant tumour of plasma cells, usually found in lymph nodes or bone marrow. Neoplasm of plasma cells, occurring in bone marrow usually in association with multiple myeloma, or, less commonly, occurring in soft tissues, especially those of the upper respiratory tract. A malignant tumor of plasma cells, very closely allied to myeloma. It usually…