Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Nidus
In medicine, any structure that resembles a nest in appearance or function. From the Latin for ‘nest.’ A nidus is a breeding place where bacteria, parasites, and other agents of a disease lodge and develop. For example, a nidus of infection is a focus of infection. A nidus is also the nucleus or origin of a nerve. The nidus…
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Nicotine
An alkaloid (a nitrogen-containing chemical) made by the tobacco plant or produced synthetically. Nicotine has powerful pharmacologic effects (including increased heart rate, heart stroke volume, and oxygen consumption by the heart muscle), as well as powerful psychodynamic effects (such as euphoria, increased alertness, and a sense of relaxation). Nicotine is also powerfully addictive.
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Niacin
Nicotinic acid, one of the B-complex vitamins-B 3. Deficiency of niacin in the diet results in the disease pellagra.
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NG
Nasogastric. Usually a tube to remove stomach content via a tube that is inserted in to the stomach via the nose.
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NF
Abbreviation for Neurofibromatosis and for National Formulary.
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Nexus
A connection or link. A causal connection. A connected series. “Nexus” comes from the Latin “nectere” meaning “to bind.” The same Latin root gave rise to “connect” and “annex.”
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Neutrophil
A type of white blood cell, a granulocyte that is filled with microscopic granules, little sacs containing enzymes that digest microorganisms. Also known as polymorphonuclear leukocyte or poly.
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Neutropenia
Not enough neutrophils, neutrophils being a type of white blood cell (specifically a form of granulocyte) filled with neutrally-staining granules, tiny sacs of enzymes that help the cell to kill and digest microorganisms it has engulfed by phagocytosis. The mature neutrophil has a segmented nucleus (it is called a seg or poly) while the immature neutrophil has band-shape nucleus (it…
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Neurotransmitter
A chemical that is released from a nerve cell which thereby transmits an impulse from a nerve cell to another nerve, muscle, organ, or other tissue. A neurotransmitter is a messenger of neurologic information from one cell to another.
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Neurosis
A chronic disorder featuring irritability of the nervous system (nervousness) and characterized by anxiety and/or extreme behavior dedicated to avoid anxiety situations.
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