Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Scarlet fever
An acute, but now rare, infectious childhood illness characterized by a sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a pronounced red rash. Also called scarlatina. A disease caused by a coccus bacteria (Hemolytic streptococci). Transmitted by direct and indirect contact with an infected person’s nasal and throat discharges. Characterized by sore throat (strep throat), fever,…
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Phocomelia
A defect in which the legs or hands are joined to the body by short stumps. The condition occurred in many children as a result of women taking the drug thalidomide during pregnancy. A congenital condition in which the upper parts of the limbs are missing or poorly developed, leaving the hands or feet directly…
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Pediatrics
The branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of children and childhood diseases. A medical specialty concerned with the health of children (usually under the age of 13 years), primarily dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases prevalent in children. A specialty having to do with children. That branch of medicine concerned with…
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Over-the-counter (OTC) drug
A drug that is sold lawfully without a prescription in a pharmacy or drugstore. Common painkillers such as paracetamol and aspirin are available in this way. Refers to patent medicines that can be sold directly to the consumer. A drug which you can buy from a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. Medicines that can be…
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
A bacterium that is difficult to treat, particularly in hospitals, where it may be fatal for already ill patients. A type of infectious bacteria that is highly resistant to conventional treatments such as antibiotics. The acronym for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium resistant to methicillin and numerous other antibiotics. This bacterium is accountable for the…
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MMR vaccine
A combined vaccine that protects children against measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is first given to a child between 12 and 15 months. Follow-up booster doses occur when the child is between three and five years. Administration of the MMR vaccine on a large scale in the developed world has greatly reduced the…
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Microsurgery
Surgery on tiny structures, which are not easily accessible, such as blood vessels, nerves, or eyes. Microsurgery is carried out using a microscope and specially adapted miniature instruments. Surgery using tiny instruments and a microscope. Microsurgery is used in operations on eyes and ears, and also to connect severed nerves and blood vessels. A highly…
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Menses
The flow of blood that occurs during a menstruation period. Flow of blood and other material from the uterus during menstruation. The blood and other materials discharged from the womb at menstruation. The monthly flow of bloody fluid from the endometrium. “Menses” is another term for a menstrual period. It can also refer to the…
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Meningocele
A hernial protrusion of the meninges, or covering of the spinal cord. A congenital defect of the spine (spina bifida) causes meningocele. A condition in which the meninges protrude through the vertebral column or skull. Congenital sac- like protrusion of either the cerebral (brain) or the spinal meninges, containing cerebrospinal fluid but no nerve tissue.…
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Laparoscopy
The use of a special endoscope that is passed through the abdominal wall in order to view the abdominal organs. A surgical procedure to examine the abdomen using an endoscope called a laparoscope. Laparoscopic sterilization. A procedure in which a laparoscope is used to examine the inside of the abdominal cavity. A surgical procedure in…
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