Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Bearing down
Stage in childbirth when the woman starts to push out the baby from the uterus. Sensation and effort by a pregnant woman to expel the fetus; it is characteristic of the second stage of labor. The expulsive effort of a parturient woman in the second stage of labor. Valsalva’s maneuver is used, causing increased pressure…
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Bazin’s disease
Same as erythema induratum [Described 1861. After Pierre Antoine Ernest Bazin (1807-78), dermatologist at Hépital St Louis, Paris, France. He was an expert in parasitology associated with skin conditions.] A disease of young women in which tender nodules develop under the skin in the calves. The nodules may break down and ulcerate though they may…
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Battledore placenta
A placenta where the umbilical cord is attached at the edge and not at the centre. A form of insertion of the umbilical cord into the margin of the placenta in which it spreads out to resemble a paddle or badminton racket. A placenta where the umbilical cord attaches to its outer rim.
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Battered baby syndrome
A condition in which a baby or small child is frequently beaten, usually by one or both of its parents, sustaining injuries such as multiple fractures. Battered-child syndrome describes children who are chronically exposed to physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or neglect. The physical abuse may range from moderate injuries to severe ones that require…
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Batten’s disease
A hereditary disease which affects the enzymes of the brain, causing cells in the brain and eye to die. Batten disease is one of a group of degenerative encephalopathic diseases known as the neuronal ceroid- lipofuscinoses (NCLs). Batten originally described the disease in 1903. In all the NCLs ceroid or lipofuscin accumulates within neurons and…
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Bathe
To wash a wound.
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Batchelor plaster
A plaster cast which keeps both legs apart [After J.S. Bachelor (b. 1905), British orthopaedic surgeon].
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Basophilia
An increase in the number of basophils in the blood. A property of a microscopic structure whereby it shows an affinity for basic dyes. The blueish appearance under the microscope of immature red blood corpuscles when stained by certain dyes. This appearance, with the blue areas collected in points, is seen in lead poisoning and…
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Basilic
Important or prominent.
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Basilar
Referring to a base.
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