Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Lithotripsy
Crushing of stones (e.g., kidney stones and gallstones). The process of breaking up kidney or gall bladder stones into small fragments that the body can eliminate them unaided. Procedure of shattering calculi via a high-frequency sound in the kidney, urinary tract, and gallbladder. Procedure to remove an embedded kidney stone through a percutaneous incision. A…
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Leukocoria
The appearance of a whitish “reflection” or mass in the pupillary area behind the lens of the eye. White or abnormal pupillary reflex. This reflex may be present in infants and children who have retinoblastoma, cataract, retinal detachment, and intraocular infections. Patients with this reflex should be referred to an ophthalmologist without delay. An atypical…
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Lavage
The cleaning out of a cavity with liquid. A washing out of a hollow organ, such as the stomach. The act of washing out or irrigating an organ such as the stomach. Process of washing out an organ, especially the stomach (gastric lavage), bladder, or paranasal sinuses. Washing out of a hollow organ using a…
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Laser photocoagulation
Coagulation of the blood vessels in the eye using a laser. Use of a laser to seal the retina to the tissue of the interior eye.
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Laser ablation
Separation, detachment, destruction, or removal of a part using laser surgery.
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Laryngoscopy
Visual examination of the larynx using a laryngoscope. Examination of the larynx and the upper portion of the trachea with a laryngoscope to diagnose a tumor or other abnormality or to remove a foreign body. An examination of the larynx (voice box) that includes the use of a slender, flexible medical instrument called a laryngoscope,…
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Laryngectomy
Surgical removal of the organ of voice (larynx). Surgical removal of all or part of the larynx. A surgical operation to remove the larynx, usually as treatment for throat cancer. Surgical removal of all or part of the larynx, usually performed to treat carcinoma of the larynx. After a laryngectomy a person must learn esophageal…
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Kernicterus
A form of icterus (bile pigmentation of tissues and membranes) occurring in infants. Yellow pigmentation of the basal ganglia and other nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, found in children with icterus. Jaundice of a newborn with degenerative lesions in parts of the brain. Kernicterus is a neurologic syndrome that results from the…
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Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Dryness of the conjunctiva resulting from a decrease in lacrimal function. Dryness with hyperemia of the conjunctiva in Sjogren’s syndrome owing to autoimmune-mediated decreased lacrimal function. The corneal epithelium may be thickened and visual acuity impaired. The condition is treated by use of artificial tears and other ocular lubricants. Persistent desiccation of both the cornea…
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Ischemic necrosis
The death or sloughing off of small areas of tissue or bone, caused by insufficient circulation or lack of blood supply.
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