Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Carrying away. For example, an artery is an efferent vessel that carries blood away from the heart, and an efferent nerve carries impulses away from the central nervous system. The opposite of efferent is afferent.

The dose of a drug that will achieve the desired effect.

Thinning of the cervix, which occurs before and while the cervix dilates.

Being without teeth. Complete loss of all natural teeth can substantially reduce quality of life, self-image, and daily functioning.

The swelling of soft tissues as a result of excess fluid accumulation. Edema is often most prominent in the lower legs and feet toward the end of the day because fluid pools while people maintain an upright position.

Eczema (dermatitis) is a particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin in which there is erythema (reddening), edema (swelling), papules (bumps), and crusting of the skin followed, finally, by lichenification (thickening) and scaling of the skin. Eczema characteristically causes itching and burning of the skin. Atopic eczema, which is also called atopic dermatitis, is a very common skin problem. It may start in infancy,…

The congenital absence of all or part of one or more fingers or toes. The term ectrodactyly has been applied to a variety of malformations of the fingers or toes. It is probably best reserved for: Cases of ectrodactyly defined in this way are usually sporadic (with no family history of this malformation). As a rule, one hand is involved and the…

A pregnancy that is not in the uterus. The fertilized egg settles and grows in any location other than the inner lining of the uterus. The large majority (95%) of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. However, they can occur in other locations, such as the ovary, cervix, and abdominal cavity. An ectopic pregnancy occurs in about 1 in 60 pregnancies. Most…

In the wrong place, out of place. For example, an ectopic kidney is a kidney that is not in the usual ‘location.

A parasite that lives on or in the skin but not within the body. Fleas and lice are ectoparasites. Infestation with an ectoparasite is called an ectoparasitosis.