Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Xanthopsia
A form of chromatopsia, a visual abnormality in which objects look as though they have been overpainted with an unnatural color. In xanthopsia, that color is yellow.
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Xanthine
A substance found in caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline and encountered in tea, coffee, and the colas. Chemically, xanthine is a purine. There is a genetic disease of xanthine metabolism, xanthinuria, due to deficiency of an enzyme, xanthine dehydrogenase, needed to process xanthine in the body. Unchecked, xanthinuria can lead to kidney stone formation and urinary tract disease (due to xanthine stones) and to muscle disease (due to…
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Xanth- (prefix)
A colorful prefix relating to a yellow color. “Xanth-” is related to the word “xanthic” which has its roots in the Greek word “xanthos” which means yellow. A number of medical terms trace to “xanthos” including, for example: “Xanth” is more than a prefix. It is a combining term and can be at the front,…
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Xanax
A benzodiazepine sedative that causes dose-related depression of the central nervous system. Alprazolam is useful in treating anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and muscle spasms. The brand name is Xanax. A generic version is available.
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X-ray
High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-ray is used in low doses to make images that help to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer.
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X, factor
A coagulation factor, a substance in blood essential to the normal clotting process. Production of factor X takes place in the liver and requires vitamin K. The gene for factor X is located on chromosome 13 and is in band 13q34. The “X” in factor X is the Roman numeral “ten.” (All numbered coagulation factors bear Roman numerals.) Factor X…
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Wt
Abbreviation for weight. For example, ‘Wt 80 lbs’ means ‘weight 80 pounds.’
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World Health Organization
The subagency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with international health. Abbreviated WHO. Also known as Organisation Mondiale de la Sant’ (OMS).
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Word blindness
A neurological disorder characterized by loss of the ability to read or understand the written word. Word blindness is a complex visual disturbance resulting from disease in the visual-association areas at the back of the brain. Someone who has had a stroke may be left with pure (total) or partial word blindness. Partial word blindness permits the individual to recognize letters…
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Womens hospital
A hospital for the exclusive use of women. The first hospital called by that name was the Woman’s Hospital of New York City. It opened in 1855. The hospital was founded by the Woman’s Hospital Assn., a group of 30 women who held that there women needed a hospital to care exclusively for them. In…
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