Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A yellow-orange compound that is produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells.

A term used in the 18th and 19th centuries pertaining to bad digestion, stomach pains, constipation, and excessive flatulence (passing gas). The quantity or quality of the bile was thought to be at fault for the condition. Hence, the name “biliousness.” (“Bilious” derives from the French “bilieux,” which in turn came from “bilis,” the Latin term for “bile.”) Biliousness was…

The adjective for bile, bilious has three meanings. It means of or relating to bile. By extension, bilious means suffering from liver dysfunction (and especially excessive secretion of bile). And, further by extension, it is indicative of a peevish ill-natured disposition. The word “bilious” goes back to the old belief that there were four bodily…

A mixture of microscopic particulate matter in bile that occurs when particles of material precipitate from bile. Bile is the fluid that is made by the liver. It is stored in the gallbladder until after a meal, when it passes out of the gallbladder and through the common bile duct into the intestine to help…

Biliary sand is a term, mostly used by surgeons, to describe uncountable, small particles in bile that are visible to the naked eye during the removal of a gallbladder. Biliary sand may be looked upon as a stage in the growth of the particles that begin as sludge (which are microscopic and not visible to…

A procedure done to remove pressure on the biliary tree and permit the normal drainage of bile.

Abnormal pressure on the biliary tree compromising the normal drainage of bile.

Congenital absence or closure of the major bile ducts, the ducts that drain bile from the liver. Biliary atresia results in a progressive inflammatory process which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver. The infant looks normal at birth but develops jaundice after the age of 2 to 3 weeks with yellowing of the eyes and skin, light-colored stools and dark…

Having to do with the gallbladder, bile ducts, or bile. The biliary system itself consists of the gallbladder and bile ducts and, of course, the bile. For example, biliary atresia is the absence or closure of the major bile ducts, the ducts that drain bile from the liver.

A parasite infection by a trematode worm acquired from infested water. Also known as schistosomiasis. Species which live in man can produce liver, bladder, and gastrointestinal problems. Species of the schistosomiasis parasite which cannot live in man cause swimmer’s itch.