Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Pertaining to the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, as in ventricular fibrillation and ventricular septal defect.

Pertaining to the front or anterior of any structure. The ventral surfaces of the body include the chest, abdomen, shins, palms, and soles. Ventral is as opposed to dorsal. From the Latin “venter” meaning belly.

A machine that mechanically assists a patient in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, a process sometimes referred to as artificial respiration.

The exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere so that oxygen can be exchanged for carbon dioxide in the alveoli (the tiny air sacs in the lungs).

A localized widening and bulging of a vein. At the area of a venous aneurysm, the vein wall is weakened and may rupture.

1. Full of venom. 2. Having venom, like some snakes and insects. 3. By extension, noxious, as a venomous tongue.

A poison, particularly one secreted by an animal. Examples are bee venom, snake venom, scorpion venom, and spider venom. Snake venom is also called venin.

The puncture of a vein with a needle to withdraw blood. Also called phlebotomy or, more often, a blood draw.

Snake venom (poison).

A blood test for syphilis. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory is commonly abbreviated VDRL. A negative (“nonreactive”) VDRL is compatible with a person not having syphilis. However, a person may a negative VDRL and still have syphilis since, in the early stages of the disease, the VDRL often gives negative results. This is called a false negative VDRL. The VDRL…