Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An epidemic outbreak of disease in an animal population, often with the implication that it may extend to humans. For example, Rift Valley fever (RVF) primarily affects livestock and can cause disease in a large number of domestic animals — an “epizootic” — and the presence of an RVF epizootic can lead to an epidemic among humans who are…

The outside layer of cells that covers all the free, open surfaces of the body including the skin, and mucous membranes that communicate with the outside of the body. By contrast the endothelium is the layer of cells lining the closed internal spaces of the body such as the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels (that convey the lymph, a…

Medical term for nosebleed. The nose is a part of the body that is very rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position on the face. As a result, any trauma to the face can cause bleeding, which may be profuse. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out, crust, and crack, as is common…

Congenital (at birth) malformation in which the opening of the urethra (from whence comes the urinary stream) is on the dorsum (topside) of the penis. Hypospadias is the corresponding malformation in which the opening of the urethra is on the ventral surface (underside) of the penis.

Epipen®: a brand name for an epinephrine auto-injector device used to manage potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to allergens. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions. Patients are recommended to have an epinephrine auto-injector immediately available if they have a history of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to things like bee stings, peanuts or seafood, or are at…

Also known as adrenaline. A substance produced by the medulla inside of the adrenal gland. The name epinephrine was coined in 1898 by the American pharmacologist and physiologic biochemist John Jacob Abel who isolated it from the adrenal gland which is located above (epi-) the kidney “nephros” in Greek). (Abel is also crystallized insulin.) Technically speaking, epinephrine is a sympathomimetic catecholamine. It causes quickening of the heart…

When nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times higher than normal, this causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. A pattern of repeated seizures is referred to as epilepsy. Known causes include head injuries, brain tumors, lead poisoning, maldevelopment of the brain, genetic…

A hematoma between the skull and the brain’s tissue-like covering, which is known as the dura. Epidural hematoma is usually caused by a full-on blow to the head and is often associated with skull fracture. Diagnosis is usually made via MRI or CT scan. Treatment is trepanation: drilling through the skull to drain the excess blood.

Outside the dura, the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood beneath the skull but outside the dura.

Inflammation of the epididymis. Epididymitis can be caused by sexually acquired bacteria, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia; or by bacteria that come from somewhere else, such as E. coli from the bowel. Sometimes no bacteria are found to be associated. Bacterial epididymitis is treated with antibiotics. If no bacterial cause is detected, medications to reduce inflammation are sometimes helpful.