Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A slang term meaning removal of a parent (or both parents) from the child. It is of relevance to the hospitalization of children. Dr. M. Murray Peshkin (1892-1990), the medical director of the Children’s Asthma Research Institute and Hospital in Denver from 1940 to 1959, noticed that some of his most severe asthma patients improved markedly as…

Pertaining to the parenchyma of an organ. 

The key elements of an organ essential to its functioning, as distinct from the capsule that encompasses it and other supporting structures.

A gland that regulates calcium, located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. The parathyroid gland secretes a hormone called parathormone (or parathyrin) that is critical to calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Although the number of parathyroid glands can vary, most people have four, one above the other on each side. They are plastered against the back of the thyroid and therefore at risk for…

The part of the involuntary nervous system that serves to slow the heart rate, increase intestinal and glandular activity, and relax the sphincter muscles. The parasympathetic nervous system, together with the sympathetic nervous system, constitutes the autonomic nervous system.

An apparent attempt at suicide, commonly called a suicidal gesture, in which the aim is not death. For example, a sublethal drug overdose or wrist slash. Previous parasuicide is a predictor of suicide. The increased risk of subsequent suicide persists without decline for at least two decades.

A sleep disorder in which odd or dangerous events occur that intrude on sleep. The parasomnias include sleep talking, sleepwalking (somnambulism), sleep terrors, REM behavior disorder, and nocturnal dissociative disorder. Sleep talking may range from a word or two to an entire speech of which the sleep talker has no recollection; it is harmless. Sleepwalking…

Fear of Friday the 13th. The word “paraskevidekatriaphobia” was devised by Dr. Donald Dossey who told his patients that “when you learn to pronounce it, you’re cured!”

Infestation or infection with parasites.

A worm classified as a parasite. (A parasite is a disease-causing organism that lives on or in a human or another animal and derives its nourishment from its host.) Lice are examples of parasites that live on humans; bacteria and viruses are examples of parasites that live either on humans or in humans; parasitic worms (also called helminths) live in humans. Helminth eggs…