Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

One of four arteries which supply blood to the back muscles and skin. One of several branches of the abdominal aorta that run toward the lumbar spine and supply blood to the vertebral bodies and muscles of the lower back and to the posterior wall of the abdomen.  

Cellulitis of the mouth and some parts of the neck which causes the neck to swell and may obstruct the airway [Described 1836. After Wilhelm Friedrich von Ludwig (1790-1865), Professor of Surgery and Midwifery at Tubingen, Germany, and Court Physician to King Frederick II) An acute bacterial infection that involves inflammation and swelling of the…

A period of clear thinking which occurs between two periods of unconsciousness or of mental illness. A temporary restoration of consciousness after a person has been rendered unconscious from a blow to the head. The victim subsequently relapses into coma. This is a sign of raised intracranial pressure from arterial bleeding and indicates that surgery may…

With a clearly working mind. Clear, understandable (e.g., a lucid statement), n. lucidity.  

A jelly used to make a surface slippery.  

A fluid which lubricates. To cover something with a fluid to reduce friction. An agent, usually a liquid oil, that reduces friction between parts that brush against each other as they move. Joints are lubricated by synovial fluid.  

Two sounds made by the heart, which represent each cardiac cycle when heard through a stethoscope. A representation of the normal heart sounds as heard through the stethoscope. Lubb (the first heart sound) coincides with closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves; dupp (the second heart sound) is due to closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves.…

A diet with little salt, which has been shown to help reduce high blood pressure. A diet in which no salt is allowed on the patient’s tray and no salty foods are served. This diet is used in treating hypertension and congestive heart failure.  

A person not likely to catch or develop a particular disease.  

A diet with little animal fat, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and alleviate some skin conditions. Therapeutic diet characterized by significantly fewer fat-containing foods than the usual diet; most low-fat diets contain 10%-20% of total energy from fat daily. An imprecise term for any diet in which the percentage of calories…