Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
Nitrogenous
A compound or molecule that contains nitrogen; in my context, a substance that is or was a part of protein metabolism. To or containing nitrogen. Foods that contain nitrogen are the proteins; those that do not contain nitrogen are the fats and carbohydrates. The retention of nitrogenous waste products such as urea in the blood…
-
Myenteric plexus
Broadly, the several neuron masses, ganglia, and nerve fiber plexus that lie in the walls of the intestinal tract, particularly the small intestine. They monitor and stimulate local muscle and glandular functions as well as blood supply, with little interface or control by the central nervous system or the autonomics. Each synapse away from the…
-
Mucus membranes
The mucosa, forming a continuous layer that protects the internal membranes from the outside, where the external environment goes into or through the body, as in both the cavities (respiratory system and genital-urinary system) and the intestinal tract. The external skin and the internal mucosa meet at the orifices, forming mucoepithelial membranes. A membrane lining…
-
Mononucleosis
Properly, infectious mononucleosis, a viral infection of the lymph pulp most frequently caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. The spleen, lymph nodes, and (sometimes) the liver are involved. The general symptoms are fever, sore throat, exhaustion, and abnormal white blood cells. An acute infection caused by an unidentified virus. Most prevalent among children and adolescents. Transmitted…
-
Mittelschmers
Abdominal pains that occur midway between menstrual periods and which are caused by ovulation.
-
Mesenchymal cells
Literally, those derived from embryonic mesoderm; practically, those in a tissue that give it structure and form. Opposite of parenchymal.
-
Menstruum
The solvent used in extraction. For a dry tincture, the menstruum might be 50% alcohol and 50% water. A liquid used in the extract of active principles from an unrefined drug. A solvent; a medium. It was once believed that menstrual fluid had solvent qualities. The Latin term for “monthly” is “mensis.” A solvent is…
-
Lactobacillus
A genus of gram-positive, acid-resistant bacteria in the Lactobacillaceae family. We know of lactobacillus because of its use in making yogurt and the conventional wisdom of taking it in one form or another after antibiotic therapy, but it is an integral part of the colon and mouth flora, and is the critical acidifying agent in…
-
Klebsiella
A genus of bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae. K. pneumoniae is implicated in much pneumonia, particularly when it is a secondary infection following a simple chest cold. A Gram-negative bacterium, one form of which, Klebsiella pneumoniae, can cause pneumonia. Gram-negative bacteria, some of which cause respiratory infections (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia) and infections affecting other parts of…
-
Interstitial fluid
The hydrogel that surrounds cells in soft tissues. It is a mucopolysaccaride starch gel, and the serum that leaves the blood capillaries flows through this gel, some to return to the exiting venous blood, some to enter the lymph system. There is an old medical axiom: the blood feeds the lymph, and the lymph feeds…
Got any book recommendations?