Medical students have been taught for decades that, “When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don’t expect to see a zebra.” In other words, look for the more common and usual, not the surprising, diagnosis. The black and white stripes on the zebra animal create a perfect balance. What does a Zebra spirit animal mean? Symbolic Meaning Of Zebra. Why is the zebra associated with NET Cancer? The zebras pattern of black on white, or white on black implies that what you see is not always what you get. Master today's medical … What did my mentor, the Sage of HCMC, mean by this? Free, Wild, Distinctive, Identity, Individualism, Opposite, Middle Ground, Free Spirit, Community, Family. When the zebra totem comes into your life, you receive its … Zebra Associated Traits. “Zebra” is a term that is used to describe a surprising diagnosis. Doctors learn to expect common conditions. The zebra’s black and white stripes tie powerful symbolism to the zebra. In medicine, the term “zebra” is used in reference to a rare disease or condition, like Neuroendocrine (NET) Cancers. The zebra spirit animal is undoubtedly one of the most impactful of all animal totems. In medicine, the term “zebra” is used in reference to a rare disease or condition. From Wikipedia: “Zebra is a medical slang term for a surprising diagnosis. Doctors are taught to assume that the simplest explanation is usually correct to avoid patients being misdiagnosed with rare illnesses. Dr. Theodore Woodward, a former professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, coined this term in the late 1940s. What is the Meaning of the Zebra Spirit Animal? – Medical students are thought to assume that the simplest explanation is usually the best, i.e., it is usually correct to look for common rather than exotic causes […] Search medical terms and abbreviations with the most up-to-date and comprehensive medical dictionary from the reference experts at Merriam-Webster. Although rare diseases are, in general, surprising when they are encountered, other [common] diseases can be surprising in a particular person and time, and so “zebra” is the broader concept.” An obscure illness, disease or condition affecting a comparatively small number of people, but with symptoms somewhat similar to one or more different and more common illnesses. In medical slang, a zebra is a surprising, unexpected diagnosis.1 In many cases, an uncommon or rare disease which has identical symptoms to a common disease qualifies as a zebra. In others the imagination must be awakened. The symbolism of the Zebra spirit animal in various mythical stories and cultures mainly represented vision and brilliance.Like most animal totems/spirit animals, the spirit guide of the zebra comes into our lives to help us make meaning to various life experiences. It derives from the saying “When you hear hoof beats behind you, don’t expect to see a Zebra”. new search; suggest new definition; Search for ZEBRA in Online Dictionary Encyclopedia Let’s begin with the symbolism that surrounds the zebra spiritual totem’s physical characteristics. But many of us spend years pursuing a diagnosis for disorders that aren’t well known. They show harmony that opposites can create, just like the yin yang combination. Questioning reality and illusion is common amongst people with zebra medicine, though an over analytic intellect can be a hindrance for some with this totem. zebra body: metachromatically staining membrane-bound granules, measuring 0.5-1 mcm in diameter and containing lamellae with a 5.8 nm spacing, reported in Schwann cells and macrophages of patients suffering from metachromatic leukodystrophy. It is named because these diseases/conditions are sometimes misdiagnosed by well meaning (but often inexperienced) doctors when something far more common is actually the cause. As such, during differential diagnoses most medical students (such as Foreman) have learnt to assume that the patient's symptoms are caused by a common ailment rather than a rare one. showing only Science & Medicine definitions (show all 6 definitions) Note: We have 4 other definitions for ZEBRA in our Acronym Attic. Zebra Associated Traits derives from the saying “When you hear hoof beats behind you, don’t to! 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