Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

One of the communicating cavities within the brain. There are four ventricles: two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle. The lateral ventricles are in the cerebral hemispheres. Each lateral ventricle consists of a triangular central body and four horns. The lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle through the interventricular foramen (opening). The third…

A benign or malignant growth in the brain. Primary brain tumors initially form in brain tissue. Secondary brain tumors are cancers that have spread (metastasized) to the brain tissue from tissue elsewhere in the body. Brain tumors can occur in people of any age.

Accumulation of excessive fluid in the substance of the brain. The brain is especially susceptible to injury from edema, because it is located within a confined space and cannot expand. Also known as brain edema, brain swelling, swelling of the brain, and wet brain.

The stem-like part of the base of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord. The brain stem controls the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and it also controls basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is awake or sleepy. The brain stem…

The phenomenon of change and learning in the adult brain. Also known as brainmalleability.

The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment. Brain reorganization takes place by mechanisms such as “axonal sprouting” in…

An anatomical abnormality of any part of the brain. A brain lesion may be due to trauma or any disease that can cause inflammation, malfunction, or destruction of a brain cells or brain tissue. A lesion may be localized to one part of the brain or may be widespread. Examples of brain lesions include head injuries, tumors,…

Bleeding within the brain. Brain hemorrhage is also known as cerebral hemorrhage or intracerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral (brain) hemorrhage can occur inside the brain, between the brain and the membranes that cover it (subdural), between the layers of the brain’s covering (subarachnoid), or between the skull and the covering of the brain (epidural). Brain hemorrhage may…

A headache that occurs when one puts ice, a cold food, or a chilled beverage in the mouth, chilling the roof of the mouth. Ice cream is by far the most frequent offender. Brain freeze is characterized by a stabbing, aching pain that begins a few seconds after ingestion of something cold. The pain peaks in 30 to 60 seconds. No treatment is…

Accumulation of excessive fluid in the substance of the brain. The brain is especially susceptible to injury from edema, because it is located within a confined space and cannot expand. Also known as brain edema, brain swelling, swelling of the brain, and wet brain.