Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The ability to sense stimuli arising within the body regarding position, motion, and equilibrium. Even if a person is blindfolded, he or she knows through proprioception if an arm is above the head or hanging by the side of the body. The sense of proprioception is disturbed in many neurological disorders. It can sometimes be improved through the use of sensory…

The prevention of disease.

A preventive measure. The word comes from the Greek for “an advance guard,” an apt term for a measure taken to fend off a disease or another unwanted consequence. A prophylactic is a medication or a treatment designed and used to prevent a disease from occurring. For example, prophylactic antibiotics may be used after a bout of…

With the front (or ventral) surface downward. To lie prone is to lie face downward. Prone is as opposed to supine.

Rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm is down (and the corresponding movement of the foot and leg with the sole down), as opposed to supination.

Growing and increasing in number rapidly. For example, the lymphoproliferative disorders are diseases in which there is malignant growth of lymphoid cells and of cells from the reticuloendothelial system (which take up and sequester inert particles). As another example, the myeloproliferative disorders are malignancies of certain bone marrow cells including those that give rise to the red blood cells, the granulocytes (types of white…

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates lactation (milk production). It also has many other functions, including essential roles in the maintenance of the immune system. Abnormally high prolactin can delay puberty, interfere with ovulation in women, decrease libido in men, and decrease fertility. Elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) may be due to a benign tumor in the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma.

Capable of promoting inflammation. For example, air pollution may have proinflammatory effects.

Increasing in scope or severity, advancing, or going forward. For example, a disease that is progressive is worsening.

The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient’s chance of ‘recovery.