Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Woman during her first pregnancy.  

Before birth. During the period between conception and childbirth. Occurring or existing before birth; used in reference to the pregnant woman or the growth and development of the fetus; also called antenatal. A term that refers to the fetus (baby) before birth, and also to the period of pregnancy before delivery, as in “the prenatal…

Therapeutic technique in which a client is directed to assume a variety of positions that facilitate the drainage of secretions in the lobes of the lungs or the bronchial passages. A procedure for removing matter from infected lungs by making the person lie down with the head lower than the feet, so that he or…

Formation of numerous small growths or masses on a mucous membrane surface. A condition of multiple polyps. A condition in which many polyps form in the mucous membrane of the colon. A condition in which numerous polyps form in an organ or tissue. Familial polyposis coli is a hereditary disease in which multiple polyps develop…

Chronic, life-shortening disorder of the bone marrow, involving the tissue producing blood cells. It is primarily characterized by abnormally high numbers of circulating red blood cells. A chronic disorder of excessive production of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration. A disease in which the number of red cells in the blood is greatly increased. There…

Surgical procedure in which folds in the wall of an organ are stitched together to reduce its size. A surgical operation to reduce the size of a muscle or a hollow organ by making folds in its walls and attaching them. The action of folding. A surgical procedure in which an organ is shortened by…

Surgical excision of a portion of the pleura. The surgical removal of part of the pleura which has been thickened or made stiff by chronic empyema. Surgical removal of part of the pleura, which is sometimes done to overcome recurrent pneumothorax or to remove diseased areas of pleura. Surgical procedure to remove a portion of…

Form of tissue swelling beneath the skin that, when pressed firmly with a finger, will maintain the indentation produced by the finger for a few minutes. Evidence of fluid in soft tissues, especially those of dependent body parts like the lower extremities. When pressed firmly with a finger, tissues that are swollen with extravascular fluid…

Ultrasonic device that disintegrates cataracts so they can be aspirated and removed. An ultrasonic technique which turns a cataract in the eye into liquid. It is then removed by suction and a plastic lens is put into the eye. Small, self-sealing incision made in the cornea, followed by an ultrasonic probe insertion to deliver sound…

Surgical puncture of the membranous sac surrounding the heart to draw out fluid. The puncture of the pericardium to remove fluid. Placement of a needle, attached to a syringe, between the two layers of pericardium to remove either air (pneumopericardium) or fluid (pericardial effusion); used in the treatment of cardiac tamponade. Drainage of the pericardial…