Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A knee injury involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL runs diagonally deep inside the knee from the center of rotation of the end of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the larger bone in the lower leg). Females are seven times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than their…

The space in the eye that is behind the cornea and in front of the iris. The cornea is the outer, transparent, dome-like structure that covers the iris, pupil, and the anterior chamber. The iris is the colored ring of tissue suspended behind the cornea and immediately in front of the lens; it regulates the amount of light entering…

The front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum). For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry to “Anatomic Orientation Terms”.

The surgical treatment of the fetus before birth. Also called prenatal surgery or, most often, fetal surgery. Fetal surgery is done when the fetus is not expected to live long enough to make it through to delivery or to live long after birth unless fetal surgery is performed. For instance, if a fetus has a severe form…

Amnesia in which the loss of memory relates to events that occur after a traumatic event. There is inability to recall new information. Old information can be recalled. Antegrade amnesia may follow brain trauma. Also called antegrade amnesia. This type of amnesia is in contrast to retrograde amnesia in which the lack of memory relates to events…

Forward-moving. As in blood flow. Sometimes synonymous with anterograde. From the Latin ante- + gradior, to step.

 Exceptionally strong or large. After Antaeus, the mythological Greek giant. The son of the earth mother Gaia, Antaeus challenged anyone he encountered to wrestle and always won, since he received strength from his mother, the earth, as long as he was in touch with her. Hercules discovered the secret of Antaeus, lifted him off the…

A substance that acts against and blocks an action. Antagonist is the opposite of agonist. Antagonists and agonists are key players in the chemistry of the human body and in pharmacology.

Originally from South America, a red or yellowish ant of small to medium size that has a severe sting that burns like fire. The sting of a fire ant causes a pustule to form within 24 hours that takes several days to resolve. Fire ant toxin can trigger an allergic reaction, particularly in people allergic to bee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings.…

Pertaining to anoxia, an absence or near absence of oxygen.