Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

1. An semi-hardened accumulation of substances from fluids that bathe an area. Examples include dental plaque and cholesterol plaque. 2. In dermatology, a plaque is a patch of a small area of skin that appears different than the surrounding skin and is usually raised.

The plantar response, also known as the Babinski response, is an important neurologic examination based upon what the toes do when the sole (the plantar surface) of the foot is stroked. If the big toe goes up, that may well mean trouble. The plantar response is obtained by stimulating the external portion (the outside) of the sole. The examiner…

Having to do with the sole of the foot.

Plant thorn arthritis: a type of joint inflammation that results from plant matter within the joint from a thorn puncture. Plant thorn arthritis is a noninfectious cause of arthritis that is typically seen in just one joint (monoarthritis). The diagnosis of plant thorn arthritis is made by detection of a piece of thorn within the joint by…

Brand name for a progestin-only emergency contraceptive designed to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours after a contraceptive accident or unprotected sex. However, early treatment is significantly more effective. Each 12 hours of delay in the start of treatment after intercourse generally reduces efficacy by 50%. Levonorgestrel, the active ingredient, is believed to act principally by interfering with…

An extra placenta separate from the main placenta. In anatomy “succenturiate” means accessory to an organ. In this case, a succenturiate placenta is an accessory placenta.

A temporary organ that joins the mother and fetus, transferring oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and permitting the release of carbon dioxide and waste products from the fetus. The placenta is roughly disk-shaped, and at full term it measures about 7 inches in diameter and slightly less than 2 inches thick. The upper…

A “sugar pill” or any dummy medication or treatment. For example, in a controlled clinical trial, one group may be given a real medication while another group is given a placebo that looks just like it in order to learn if the differences observed are due to the medication or to the power of suggestion.…

The main endocrine gland. It is a small structure in the head. It is called the master gland because it produces hormones that control other glands and many body functions including growth. The pituitary consists of the anterior and posterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary is the front portion of the pituitary. Hormones secreted by it influence growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, and adrenocortical function. These influences are…

1. As an adjective, pertaining to the pituitary gland or its hormonal secretions. 2. As a noun, the pituitary gland itself.