Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A parasitic disease caused by the African eye worm, a microscopic thread-like worm. The adult worms can only live in the human lymph system. Lymphatic filariasis affects over 120 million people in the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia, Africa, Western Pacific, and parts of Central and South America. The disease spreads from person to person by mosquito bites. When…

Abnormally enlarged lymph nodes. Commonly called swollen glands.

The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system, carrying cells that help fight infection and disease.

1. Left ventricular failure, failure of the left side of the heart.2. Left ventricular function, the function of the left ventricle. In both of these senses, LVF is in contrast to RVF (right ventricular failure or function).

Complete dislocation of a joint. A partial dislocation is a subluxation.

A gonadotropin (a hormone that affects the function of the sex organs) that is released by the pituitary gland in response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Abbrevi’ated LH. In females, LH controls the length and sequence of the female menstrual cycle, including ovulation, preparation of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg, and ovarian production of both estrogen and progesterone. In males, LH stimulates the testes…

Left upper quadrant (quarter). For example, the LUQ of the abdomen contains the spleen.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by autoimmunity. Patients with lupus have in their blood unusual antibodies that are targeted against their own body tissues. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. The first symptom is a red (or dark), scaly rash on the nose and cheeks, often called a…

The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon dioxide from and bring oxygen to the blood. There is a right and left lung.

A luminous term referring to the channel within a tube such as a blood vessel or to the cavity within a hollow organ such as the intestine. Lumen is a luminous term because it is Latin for light, including the light that comes through a window. When a hollow organ is cut across, you can see light…