Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Dyad
The word “dyad” comes from the Greek “dyas” meaning the number two. In psychology, a dyad refers to a pair of persons in an interactional situation. For example, a patient and therapist, a woman and her husband, a girl and her stepfather, etc. In chemistry, a dyad is a bivalent element. And in biology, a dyad…
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Dx
Abbreviation for diagnosis, the determination of the nature of a disease.
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Dwarf
Someone with dwarfism, which is now more correctly called short stature. People with dwarfism (short stature) also consider themselves little people, as in the Little People of America.
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DV
Abbreviation for Daily Value.
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Dural sac
The membranous sac that encases the spinal cord within the bony structure of the vertebral column. Dural refers to the dura, the name of the membrane around the spinal cord (and brain, too).
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Durable power of attorney
A type of advance medical directive in which legal documents provide the power of attorney to another person in the case of an incapacitating medical condition. A durable power of attorney allows another person to make bank transactions, sign Social Security checks, apply for disability, or write checks to pay utility bills while an individual is medically…
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Dura
The outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Dura is short for dura mater (from the Latin for hard mother). Also called the pachymeninx (singular) or pachymeniges (plural). Epidural means outside the dura. An accumulation of blood outside the dura is an epidural hematoma. Subdural means under the dura. A bleed under…
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Dupuytren, Guillaume
(1777-1835) The leading French surgeon of the early part of the 19th century. Dupuytren reported the condition in 1832 that now bears his name: Dupuytren contracture. He was not the first to describe the condition but he was the first to recognize that this form of finger contracture was due to scarring of the fascia…
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Duodenal ulcer
A crater (ulcer) in the lining of the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). Ulcer formation is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori. Other factors predisposing a person to ulcers include anti-inflammatory medications and cigarette smoking. Ulcer pain may not correlate with the presence or severity of ulceration. Diagnosis is made with barium X-ray or endoscopy. Complications of ulcers include bleeding, perforation, and blockage. Treatment…
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Duodenal
Pertaining to the duodenum, part of the small intestine. As in duodenal ulcer or duodenal biliary drainage.
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