Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Absence of a normal opening, or failure of a structure to be tubular. Atresia can affect many structures in the body. For example, esophageal atresia is a birth defect in which part of the esophagus is not hollow, and with anal atresia, there is no hole at the bottom end of the intestine.

1. Adenosine triphosphate.  2. Acute thrombocytopenic purpura.

The genetic tendency to develop the classic allergic diseases — atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and asthma. Atopy involves the capacity to produce IgE in response to common environmental proteins such as house dustmite, grass pollen, and food allergens. From the Greek atopos meaning out of place.

A skin disease characterized by areas of severe itching, redness, scaling, and loss of the surface of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is frequently associated with other allergic disorders, especially asthma and hay fever. A defect of the immune system within the skin has been detected in patients who have atopic dermatitis, but the reason for…

A predisposition toward developing certain allergic hypersensitivity reactions. Atopy may have a hereditary component, although contact with the allergen must occur before the hypersensitivity reaction can develop.

A seizure in which the person suddenly loses muscle tone and strength and, unless supported, falls down. Also called drop attack or drop seizure. Atonic means a lack of muscle tone and strength.

Without normal muscle tone or strength. An atonic seizure is one in which the person suddenly loses muscle tone and strength; the person cannot sit or stand upright and, unless supported, falls down.

A frightening form of paralysis that occurs when a person suddenly finds himself or herself unable to move for a few minutes, most often upon falling asleep or waking up. Sleep paralysis is due to an irregularity in passing between the stages of sleep and wakefulness. The symptoms of sleep paralysis include sensations of noises, smells, levitation, paralysis, terror, and images…

The smallest part of any material that cannot be broken up by chemical means. Each atom has a center (the nucleus) which contains protons and neutrons. Electrons orbit around the nucleus. The atom is primarily empty space. If the nucleus of an atom were the size of the button on a baseball pitcher’s cap, the…

Acute tubular necrosis.