Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A congenital condition where parts of the lower colon lack nerve cells, making peristalsis impossible, so that food accumulates in the upper colon which becomes swollen. Hirschsprung disease (also known as congenital intestinal aganglionosis) is characterized by an absence of nerve cells in a segment of the bowel. This disease interferes with the peristalsis action…

A surgical operation to replace the whole ball and socket joint at the hip with an artificial one. Hip replacement surgery involves replacing all or a portion of a damaged hip joint with a synthetic substitute. This operation is typically performed on older individuals whose joints have become rigid and painful due to osteoarthritis. The…

Alternating rapid contraction and dilatation of the pupil of the eye. Abnormal rhythmical variations in the size of the pupils, independent of the intensity of the light falling on the eyes. It is occasionally seen in various diseases of the nervous system. Hippus is a tremor of the iris which produces alternating contraction and dilatation…

An ethical code observed by doctors, by which they will treat patients equally, put patients’ welfare first and not discuss openly the details of a patient’s case. Statement, attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, that serves as an ethical guide for physicians and is incorporated into the graduation ceremonies at many medical schools. An…

Curved pieces of cortex inside each part of the cerebrum. A curved band of cortex lying within each cerebral hemisphere: in evolutionary terms one of the brain’s most primitive parts. It forms a portion of the limbic system and is involved in the complex physical aspects of behavior governed by emotion and instinct. Olfactory structures…

A fracture of the ball at the top of the femur. A fracture of the proximal portion of the femur, i.e., of either the head, neck, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric regions of that bone. Hip fracture occurs each year in approximately 225,000 Americans older than 50. It is more common in women than men as a…

A bone made of the ilium, the ischium and the pubis which are fused together, forming part of the pelvic girdle. A bone formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis. It articulates with the femur by the acetabulum, a deep socket into which the head of the femur fits. Between the pubis…

Part of an embryo which develops into the colon and rectum. The back part of the embryonic gut, which gives rise to part of the large intestine, the rectum, bladder, and urinary ducts. The caudal portion of the endodermal tube, which develops into the alimentary canal. It gives rise to the ileum, colon, and rectum.…

A patient who has a high risk of catching an infection or developing a disease.  

Referring to someone who is very likely to catch or develop a disease, develop a cancer or have an accident.