Which bodily fluid is thought to cause melancholia (depression) according to the humoral theory?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking which bodily fluid, according to the humoral theory, is believed to cause melancholia, which refers to a state of depression. The options provided indicate that it's a quiz-style question related to historical medical theories.
Answer
Black bile
The bodily fluid thought to cause melancholia (depression) according to the humoral theory is black bile.
Answer for screen readers
The bodily fluid thought to cause melancholia (depression) according to the humoral theory is black bile.
More Information
In ancient Greco-Roman medicine, the humoral theory posited that human emotions and dispositions were governed by four bodily fluids or 'humors': blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. An imbalance in these fluids affected physical and mental health. Black bile was associated with a melancholic temperament and depressive states.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse black bile with other humors like yellow bile or phlegm. Remember that 'melancholia' derives from Greek words meaning 'black bile', aiding in the association.
Sources
- Black bile - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- The Four Humors | Overview & Examples - Study.com - study.com
- Melancholia - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
