The Vibhanga says:
I cannot access the Pali on SC.Therein what are the seven (types of) contact in the element of desire? Eye contact, ear contact, nose contact, tongue contact, body contact, mind element contact, mind-consciousness-element contact. These are called the seven (types of) contact in the element of desire. (8)
Therein what are the seven (types of) feeling in the element of desire? Feeling born of eye contact, feeling born of ear contact, feeling born of nose contact, feeling born of tongue contact, feeling born of body contact, feeling born of mind element contact, feeling born of mind-consciousness-element contact. These are called the seven (types of) feeling in the element of desire. (9)
Therein what are the seven (types of) perception in the element of desire? Perception born of eye contact, perception born of ear contact, perception born of nose contact, perception born of tongue contact, perception born of body contact, perception born of mind element contact, perception born of mind-consciousness-element contact. These are called the seven (types of) perception in the element of desire. (10)
Therein what are the seven (types of) volition in the element of desire? Volition born of eye contact, volition born of ear contact, volition born of nose contact, volition born of tongue contact, volition born of body contact, volition born of mind element contact, volition born of mind-consciousness-element contact. These are called the seven (types of) volition in the element of desire. (11)
Therein what are the seven (types of) consciousness in the element of desire? Eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness, mind element, mind-consciousness-element. These are called the seven (types of) consciousness in the element of desire. (12)
https://suttacentral.net/vb18/en/thittila
My questions are:
1. What is the difference between "mind element" and "mind-consciousness-element"?
2. Why is "mind element" a type of consciousness?
Thank you