Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A rare condition wherein the normal growth of the breast or nipple never takes place. They are congenitally absent. There is no sign whatsoever of the breast tissue, areola or nipple. There is nothing there. Breast aplasia (also called, amastia) is frequently not alone as the only problem. Unilateral amastia (amastia just on one side) is often associated with…

Failure to develop. This is not to be confused with the word, atrophy, which means that something develops and then wastes away.

Fear of bees. A phobia is an unreasonable sort of fear that can cause avoidance and panic. Phobias are a relatively common type of anxiety disorder. Phobias can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy using exposure and fear reduction techniques. In many cases, anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication proves helpful, especially during the early stages of therapy. The word “apiphobia”…

The adjective for apex, the tip of a pyramidal or rounded structure, such as the lung or the heart. For example, an apical lung tumor is a tumor located at the top of the lung.

A small sensitive painful ulcer crater in the lining of the mouth. Commonly called a canker sore.

The inability to speak or understand phrases.

Inability to speak.

The process of removing a specific component from blood temporarily. Also known as hemapheresis and pheresis. Forms of apheresis include plasmapheresis, harvesting plasma or liquid part of the blood; leukapheresis, harvesting leukocytes or white blood cells; granulocytapheresis, harvesting granulocytes; lymphocytapheresis, harvesting lymphocytes; lymphoplasmapheresis, harvesting lymphocytes and plasma; and plateletpheresis, harvesting platelets.

An atypical dementia characterized by a relentless dissolution of language with memory relatively preserved. The diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia is based on the presence of a progressive disorder of language, with preservation of other mental functions and of activities of daily living, for at least two years. The features of primary progressive aphasia are distinct and different from…

A problem with word finding. Impaired recall of words with no impairment of comprehension or the capacity to repeat the words. In “The Case of Anna H.” who had anomia, the neurologist/writer Oliver Sacks noted that: “When I showed her some kitchen matches, she recognized them at once, visually, but could not say the word ‘match,’…