Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Near the appendix. Perforation of the appendix can lead to a periappendiceal abscess (a collection of pus near the appendix).

Located around the anus, the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Prefix meaning around or about, as in pericardial (around the heart) and periaortic lymph nodes (lymph nodes around the aorta).

The passage of fluid through the circulatory system (blood stream) or lymphatic system to an organ or a tissue, usually referring to the delivery of blood to an area

This is a break, or hole, in the wall of the large intestine (bowel). A perforated bowel is a surgical emergency that requires urgent treatment, because with a perforation, the contents of the bowel can spill into the abdominal cavity. This can cause life-threatening infection of the abdominal cavity. There are many causes of a perforated bowel, including…

A technique for removing large and/or dense stones and staghorn kidney stones. PNL is done via a port created by puncturing the kidney through the skin and enlarging the access port to 1 cm (about 3/8 inch) in diameter. There is no surgical incision. PNL is done under anesthesia and real-time live x-ray control (fluoroscopy).

Through the skin. For example, a percutaneous biopsy is a biopsy that is obtained by putting a needle through the skin in order to obtain tissue within the body for examination.

The percentage of individuals in a group who have achieved a certain quantity’such as height, weight, or head circumference’or a developmental milestone. For example, the fiftieth percentile for walking well is 12 months of age.

A molecule consisting of 2 or more amino acids. Peptides are smaller than proteins, which are also chains of amino acids. Molecules small enough to be synthesized from the constituent amino acids are, by convention, called peptides rather than proteins. The dividing line is at about 50 amino acids. Depending on the number of amino acids,…

An ulcer in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Peptic ulcers affect millions of people in the US yearly. Ulcer formation is related to Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, use of anti-inflammatory medications, and cigarette smoking. Peptic ulcer pain may not correlate with the presence or severity of ulceration. Complications of peptic ulcers include bleeding, perforation, and blockage of the…