Dictionary of Medical Terms 4th Ed

manometer /mə nɒm tə/ noun an instrument for comparing pressures

manometry /mə nɒm tri/ noun the measurement of pressures within organs of the body which contain gases or liquids, e.g. the

oesophagus or parts of the brain

Mantoux test /m ntu test/ noun a test for tuberculosis, in which a person is given an intracutaneous injection of tuberculin. Heaf test [Described 1908. After Charles Mantoux

(1877–1947), French physician.]

manual / m njuəl/ adjective done by hand manual examination / m njυəl & z m

ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun an examination using the

hands and fingers

manubrium /mə nu briəm/ noun a handleshaped anatomical part, e.g. part of the inner

ear

manubrium sterni /mə nu briəm st! na / noun the upper part of the sternum

MAO abbr monoamine oxidase

MAOI abbr monoamine oxidase inhibitor

MAO inhibitor / em e əυ n h b tə/ noun same as monoamine oxidase inhibitor

maple syrup urine disease / me p(ə)ls rəp jυər n d zi z/ noun an inherited con-

dition caused by not having enough of a particular enzyme which helps the body to deal with amino acid. The urine smells like maple syrup. It can be fatal if not treated.

marasmus /mə r zməs/ noun a wasting disease which affects small children who have difficulty in absorbing nutrients or who are

malnourished. Also called failure to thrive marble bone disease / mɑ b(ə)l bəυn d

zi z/ noun same as osteopetrosis

Marburg disease / mɑ b! & d zi z/, Marburg virus disease / mɑ b! & va rəs d zi z/

noun a severe viral infection causing high fever, bleeding from mucous membranes, vomiting and often death. Also called green monkey disease

COMMENT: The disease is transmitted to humans from green monkeys. Because the monkeys are used in laboratory experiments, the disease mainly affects laboratory workers. march fracture /mɑ tʃ fr ktʃə/ noun a fracture of one of the metatarsal bones in the foot, caused by excessive exercise to which the

body is not accustomed

Marfan’s syndrome / mɑ fɑ nz s n drəυm/, Marfan syndrome / mɑ fɑ n s n

drəυm/ noun a hereditary condition in which a person has extremely long fingers and toes, with disorders of the heart, aorta and eyes [Described 1896. After Bernard Jean Antonin Marfan (1858–1942), French paediatrician.] marijuana / m r wɑ nə/ noun same as cannabis

mark /mɑ k/ noun a spot or small area of a different colour There’s a red mark where you hit your head. The rash has left marks

on the chest and back. verb to make a mark on something the door is marked ‘Supervisor’ the door has the word ‘Supervisor’ written on it

marked /mɑ kt/ adjective obvious or noticeable There has been a marked improvement in his condition.

marker / mɑ kə/ noun 1. something which acts an indicator of something else 2. a substance introduced into the body to make internal structures clearer to X-rays

marrow / m rəυ/ noun soft tissue in cancellous bone. In young animals red marrow is concerned with blood formation while in adults it becomes progressively replaced with fat and is known as yellow marrow. Also called bone marrow. See illustration at BONE STRUC- TURE in Supplement

marsupialisation /mɑ su˜ piəla ze ʃ(ə)n/, marsupialization noun a surgical procedure in which the inside of a cyst is opened up so that the cyst can be allowed to shrink gradually, because it cannot be cut out

masculinisation / m skjυl na ze ʃ(ə)n/, masculinization noun the development of male characteristics such as body hair and a deep voice in a woman, caused by hormone deficiency or by treatment with male hormones

mask /mɑ sk/ noun 1. a metal and rubber frame that fits over the nose and mouth and is used to administer an anaesthetic 2. a piece of gauze which fits over the mouth and nose to prevent droplet infection 3. a cover which fits over the face of a person who has suffered facial damage in an accident

masked /mɑ skt/ adjective used to describe diseases that are present but not observable

Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs /

m zləυz ha rɑ ki əv hju mən ni dz/ noun a system which explains human behaviour by organising human needs in order of priority, from basic ones such as eating to complex ones such as finding self-fulfilment, a higher level of motivation not being activated until the lesser needs have been satisfied

masochism / m sək z(ə)m/ noun a sexual condition in which a person takes pleasure in being hurt or badly treated

masochist / m sək st/ noun a person suffering from masochism

masochistic / m sə k st k/ adjective referring to masochism

mass /m s/ noun 1. a large quantity, e.g. a large number of people The patient’s back was covered with a mass of red spots. 2. a body of matter with no clear shape 3. a mixture for making pills 4. the main solid part of bone

massage / m sɑ / noun a treatment for muscular conditions which involves rubbing, stroking or pressing the body with the hands

verb to rub, stroke or press the body with the hands

masseter /m si tə/, masseter muscle /m si tə m"s(ə)l/ noun a muscle in the cheek

which clenches the lower jaw making it move up, to allow chewing

massive / m s v/ adjective very large He was given a massive injection of penicillin. She had a massive heart attack.

mass radiography / m s re di ɒ&rəfi/ noun the practice of taking X-ray photographs of large numbers of people to check for tuberculosis

mass screening / m s skri n ŋ/ noun the practice of testing large numbers of people for the presence of a disease

mast- /m st/ prefix same as masto- (used before vowels)

mastalgia /m st ld ə/ noun pain in the mammary gland

mastatrophy /m st trəfi/ noun atrophy of the mammary gland

mast cell / m st sel/ noun a large cell in connective tissue, which carries histamine and reacts to allergens

mastectomy /m stektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of a breast

masticate / m st ke t/ verb to chew food

mastication / m st ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of chewing food

mastitis /m sta t s/ noun inflammation of the breast

masto- /m stəυ/ prefix referring to a breast

mastoid / m stɔ d/ adjective 1. shaped like a nipple 2. belonging to the part of the temporal bone which protrudes at the side of the head behind the ear noun same as mastoid process

mastoid air cell / m stɔ d eə sel/, mastoid cell / m stɔ d sel/ noun an air cell in the

mastoid process

mastoid antrum / m stɔ d ntrəm/ noun a cavity linking the air cells of the mastoid process with the middle ear

mastoid bone / m stɔ d bəυn/ noun same as mastoid process

mastoidectomy / m stɔ dektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to remove part of the mastoid process, as a treatment for mastoiditis

mastoiditis / m stɔ da t s/ noun inflammation of the mastoid process and air cells. The symptoms are fever and pain in the ears.

COMMENT: The mastoid process can be infected by infection from the middle ear through the mastoid antrum. Mastoiditis can cause deafness and can affect the meninges if not treated.

mastoidotomy / m stɔ dɒtəmi/ noun a surgical operation to make a cut into the mastoid process to treat infection

mastoid process / m stɔ d prəυses/ noun part of the temporal bone which protrudes at the side of the head behind the ear masturbate / m stəbe t/ verb to excite one’s own genitals so as to produce an orgasm

masturbation / m stə be ʃ(ə)n/ noun stimulation of one’s own genitals to produce an orgasm. Also called onanism

match /m tʃ/ verb 1. to examine two things to see if they are similar or fit together They are trying to match the donor to the recipient.

2. to fit together in a specific way The two samples don’t match.

‘…bone marrow from donors has to be carefully matched with the recipient or graft-versus-host disease will ensue’ [Hospital Update]

mater / me tə/ dura mater

material /mə t əriəl/ noun 1. matter which can be used to make something 2. cloth The wound should be covered with gauze or other light material. 3. all that is necessary in surgery

materia medica /mə t əriə med kə/ noun the study of drugs or dosages as used in treatment (NOTE: It comes from a Latin term meaning ‘medical substance’.)

maternal /mə t! n(ə)l/ adjective referring to a mother

maternal death /mə t! n(ə)l deθ/ noun the death of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth or up to twelve months after childbirth maternal deprivation /mə t! n(ə)l depr ve ʃ(ə)n/ noun a psychological condition caused when a child does not have a proper relationship with a mother

maternal dystocia /mə t! n(ə)l d s təυsiə/ noun difficult childbirth caused by a physical

problem in the mother

maternal instincts /mə t! n(ə)l n* st ŋkts/ plural noun instinctive feelings in a woman to look after and protect her child maternity /mə t! n ti/ noun childbirth, the

fact of becoming a mother

maternity case /mə t! n ti ke s/ noun a

woman who is about to give birth

maternity clinic /mə t! n ti kl n k/ noun

same as antenatal clinic

maternity hospital /mə t! n ti hɒsp t(ə)l/,

maternity ward /mə t! n ti wɔ d/, maternity unit /mə t! n ti ju n t/ noun a hospital, ward

or unit which deals only with women giving birth

matrix / me tr ks/ noun an amorphous mass of cells forming the basis of connective tissue. Also called ground substance

matron / me trən/ noun a title formerly given to a woman in charge of the nurses in a hospital. modern matron

matter / m tə/ noun a substance

mattress / m trəs/ noun the thick soft part of a bed for lying on

mattress suture / m trəs su tʃə/ noun a suture made with a loop on each side of the incision

maturation / m tʃυ re ʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of becoming mature or fully developed

mature /mə tjυə/ adjective fully developed mature follicle /mə tʃυə fɒl k(ə)l/ noun a Graafian follicle just before ovulation

maturing /mə tʃυər ŋ/ adjective becoming mature

maturing egg /mə tʃυər ŋ e&/, maturing ovum / əυvəm/ noun an ovum contained by a

Graafian follicle

maturity /mə tjυər ti/ noun 1. being fully developed 2. (in psychology) the state of being a responsible adult

maxilla /m k s lə/, maxilla bone /m k s lə bəυn/ noun the upper jaw bone (NOTE: The plu-

ral is maxillae. It is more correct to refer to the upper jaw as the maxillae, as it is in fact formed of two bones which are fused together.)

maxillary /m k s ləri/ adjective referring to the maxilla

maxillary antrum /m k s ləri ntrəm/, maxillary air sinus /m k s ləri eə sa nəs/

noun one of two sinuses behind the cheekbones in the upper jaw. Also called antrum of

Highmore

maxillo-facial /m k s ləυ fe ʃ(ə)l/ adjective referring to the maxillary bone and the face

maxillo-facial surgery

MB abbr bachelor of medicine

McBurney’s point /mək b! niz pɔ nt/ noun a point which indicates the usual position of the appendix on the right side of the abdomen, between the hip bone and the navel, which is extremely painful if pressed when the person has appendicitis [Described 1899. After Charles McBurney (1845–1913), US surgeon.]

McNaghten’s Rules on Insanity at Law

/mək nɔ tənz ru lz ɒn n s n ti ət lɔ /, McNaghten’s Rules /mək nɔ tənz ru lz/ plu-

ral noun a set of principles which explain how people can defend themselves in law by claiming that they committed a murder because they were mentally ill, and therefore not responsible for any of their actions. In 1957 it was adapted to include the idea of knowing that an action is wrong but being unable to stop yourself from committing it because of your mental condition.

MCP joint / em si pi d ɔ nt/ noun same as metacarpophalangeal joint

MCU, MCUG abbr micturating cysto(-ure- thro)gram

MD abbr doctor of medicine

ME abbr myalgic encephalomyelitis

meal /mi l/ noun food eaten at a particular time

measles / mi z(ə)lz/ noun an infectious disease of children, where the body is covered with a red rash She’s in bed with measles. He’s got measles. They caught measles from their friend at school. Have you had the measles? Also called morbilli, rubeola (NOTE: Takes a singular or plural verb.)

COMMENT: Measles can be a serious disease as it weakens the body’s resistance to other diseases, especially bronchitis and ear infections. It can be prevented by immunisation. If caught by an adult it can be very serious.

measure / me ə/ noun a unit of size, quantity or degree A metre is a measure of length. verb 1. to find out the size of something A thermometer measures temperature. 2. to be a particular size The room measures 3 metres by 2 metres.

measurement / me əmənt/ noun the size, length, etc. of something which has been measured

meat /mi t/ noun animal flesh which is eaten

(NOTE: No plural: some meat, a piece or a slice of meat; he refuses to eat meat.)

meat- /mie t/ prefix relating to a meatus

meatus /mi e təs/ noun an opening leading to an internal passage in the body, e.g. the urethra or the nasal cavity (NOTE: The plural is meatuses or meatus.)

mechanism / mekən z(ə)m/ noun 1. a physical or chemical change by which a function is carried out 2. a system in the body which carries out or controls a particular function The inner ear is the body’s mechanism for the sense of balance.

mechanism of labour / mekən z(ə)m əv le bə/ noun all the forces and processes which combine to push a foetus out of the uterus during its birth, together with the ones which oppose it

mechanotherapy / mekənəυ θerəpi/ noun the treatment of injuries through mechanical means, such as massage and exercise machines

Meckel’s diverticulum / mekəlz da və t kjυləm/ noun a congenital formation of a

diverticulum in the ileum [Described 1809. After Johann Friedrich Meckel II (1781–1833), German surgeon and anatomist.]

meconism / mekəυniz(ə)m/ noun poisoning by opium or morphine

meconium /m kəυniəm/ noun the first dark green faeces produced by a newborn baby

med. abbr 1. medical 2. medicine

media / mi diə/ noun same as tunica media medial / mi diəl/ adjective nearer to the central midline of the body or to the centre of an organ. Compare lateral

medial arcuate ligament / mi diəl ɑ kju t l &əmənt/ noun a fibrous arch to

which the diaphragm is attached

medial epicondyle / mi diəl ep kɒnda l/ noun a medial projection on the condyle of the humerus

medially / mi diəli/ adverb towards or on the sagittal plane of the body. See illustration at

in Supplement

medial malleolus / mi diəl mə li ələs/ noun a bone at the end of the tibia which pro-

trudes at the inside of the ankle

medial rectus / mi diəl rektəs/ noun a muscle inserted into the sclera of the eyeball median / mi diən/ adjective towards the central midline of the body, or placed in the middle

median nerve / mi diən n! v/ noun one of the main nerves of the forearm and hand median plane / mi diən ple n/ noun an imaginary flat surface on the midline and at right angles to the coronal plane, which divides the body into right and left halves. See illustration

at ANATOMICAL TERMS in Supplement

mediastinal /mi diə sta n(ə)l/ adjective referring to the mediastinum the mediastinal

surface of pleura or of the lungs mediastinitis / mi diəst na t s/ noun in-

flammation of the mediastinum mediastinoscopy / mi diəst nɒskəpi/

noun an operation in which a tube is put into the mediastinum so that its organs can be examined

mediastinum / mi diə sta nəm/ noun the section of the chest between the lungs, where the heart, oesophagus and phrenic and vagus nerves are situated

medic / med k/ noun a doctor or medical student (informal)

medical / med k(ə)l/ adjective 1. referring to the study of diseases a medical student 2. referring to treatment of disease which does not involve surgery Medical help was provided by the Red Cross. 3. referring to treatment given by a doctor, as opposed to a surgeon, in a hospital or in his or her surgery noun an official examination of a person by a doctor

He wanted to join the army, but failed his medical. You will have to have a medical if you take out an insurance policy.

medical administration / med k(ə)l ədm n stre ʃ(ə)n/ noun the running of hospi-

tals and other health services She started her career in medical administration.

medical aid / med k(ə)l e d/ noun treatment of someone who is ill or injured, given by a

doctor. first aid

medical alert bracelet / med k(ə)l ə l! tbre slət/ noun a band or chain worn around the wrist giving information about the wearer’s medical needs, allergies or condition medical assistance / med k(ə)l ə s st(ə)ns/ noun help provided by a nurse, an ambulanceman or a member of an association

such as the Red Cross, to a person who is ill or injured

medical assistant / med k(ə)l ə s st(ə)nt/ noun someone who performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to help in the offices and clinics of doctors and other medical practitioners

medical audit / med k(ə)l ɔ d t/ noun a systematic critical analysis of the quality of medical care provided to a person, which examines the procedures used for diagnosis and treatment, the use of resources and the resulting outcome and quality of life for the person

medical audit advisory group /

med k(ə)l ɔ d t əd va z(ə)ri &ru p/ noun a body with the responsibility of advising on medical audit in primary care. Abbr MAAG medical centre / med k(ə)l sentə/ noun a place where several different doctors and specialists practise

medical certificate / med k(ə)l sə t f kət/ noun an official document signed by a doctor, giving someone permission to be away from work or not to do specific types of work medical committee / med k(ə)l kə m ti/ noun a committee of doctors in a hospital who advise the management on medical matters medical diathermy / med k(ə)l da ə

θ! mi/ noun the use of heat produced by electricity for treatment of muscle and joint disorders such as rheumatism

medical doctor / med k(ə)l dɒktə/ noun a doctor who practises medicine, but is not usually a surgeon

medical ethics / med k(ə)l eθ ks/ plural noun the moral and professional principles which govern how doctors and nurses should work, and, in particular, what type of relationship they should have with their patients medical examination / med k(ə)l &z m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun an examination of a person by a doctor

medical history / med k(ə)l h st(ə)ri/ noun the details of a person’s medical condition and treatment over a period of time

medical intervention / med k(ə)l ntə venʃən/ noun the treatment of illness by

drugs

medicalisation / med kəla ze ʃ(ə)n/, medicalization noun the act of looking at something as a medical issue or problem

medical jurisprudence / med k(ə)l d υər s pru d(ə)ns/ noun the use of the prin-

ciples of law as they relate to the practice of medicine and the relationship of doctors with each other, their patients and society. foren-

sic medicine

Medical Officer of Health / med k(ə)lɒf sər əv helθ/ noun formerly, a local gov-

ernment official in charge of the health services in an area. Abbr MOH

medical practitioner / med k(ə)l pr k t ʃ(ə)nə/ noun a person qualified in medicine, i.e. a doctor or surgeon

medical profession / med k(ə)l prə

feʃ(ə)n/ noun all doctors

medical records / med k(ə)l rekɔ dz/ plural noun information about a person’s medical history

Medical Register / med k(ə)l red stə/ noun a list of doctors approved by the General Medical Council The committee ordered his

name to be struck off the Medical Register.

Medical Research Council / med k(ə)l r s! tʃ kaυnsəl/ noun a government body

which organises and pays for medical research. Abbr MRC

medical school / med k(ə)l sku l/ noun a section of a university which teaches medicine

He is at medical school. medical secretary

sekr t(ə)ri/ noun a qualified secretary who specialises in medical documentation, either in

a hospital or in a doctor’s surgery

medical social worker / med k(ə)l səυʃ(ə)l w! kə/ noun someone who helps

people with family problems or problems related to their work which may have an effect on their response to treatment

medical ward / med k(ə)l wɔ d/ noun a ward for people who do not have to undergo surgical operations

Medicare / med keə/ noun a system of public health insurance in the US

medicated / med ke t d/ adjective containing a medicinal drug medicated cough sweet medicated shampoo / med ke t d ʃ m pu / noun a shampoo containing a chemical which is supposed to prevent dandruff

medication / med ke ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the treatment of illnesses by giving people drugs.premedication 2. a drug used to treat a particular illness What sort of medication has she been taking? 80% of elderly patients admitted to geriatric units are on medication. medicinal /mə d s(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective which has healing properties or a beneficial effect on someone’s health He has a drink of whisky

before he goes to bed for medicinal purposes. medicinal bath /mə d s(ə)n(ə)l bɑ θ/ noun

treatment in which someone lies in a bath of hot water containing particular chemicals, in hot mud or in other substances

medicinal drug /mə d s(ə)n(ə)l dr"&/ noun a drug used to treat a disease as opposed

to hallucinatory or addictive drugs medicinal leech /mə d s(ə)n(ə)l li tʃ/

noun a leech which is raised specially for use in medicine

medicinally /mə d s(ə)n(ə)li/ adverb used as a medicine The herb can be used medicinally.

medicine / med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun 1. a preparation taken to treat a disease or condition, especially one in liquid form Take some cough medicine if your cough is bad. You should take the medicine three times a day. 2. the study of diseases and how to cure or prevent them She is studying medicine because she wants to be a doctor. 3. the study and treatment of diseases which does not involve surgery medicine bottle / med(ə)s(ə)n bɒt(ə)l/

noun a special bottle which contains medicine

medicine cabinet / med(ə)s(ə)nk b nət/, medicine chest / med(ə)s(ə)n

tʃest/ noun a cupboard where medicines, bandages, thermometers and other pieces of medical equipment can be left locked up, but ready for use in an emergency

medico / med kəυ/ noun a doctor (informal)

The medico said I was perfectly fit. medico- /med kəυ/ prefix referring to medicine or to doctors

medicochirurgical / med kəυka r! d k(ə)l/ adjective referring to both medicine and surgery

medicolegal / med kəυ li &(ə)l/ adjective

referring to both medicine and the law medicosocial / med kəυ səυʃ(ə)l/ adjec-

tive involving both medical and social factors medium / mi diəm/ adjective average, in the middle or at the halfway point noun a substance through which something acts

medroxyprogesterone /mə drɒksiprəυ d estərəυn/ noun a synthetic hormone used

to treat menstrual disorders, in oestrogen replacement therapy and as a contraceptive medulla /me d"lə/ noun 1. the soft inner part of an organ, as opposed to the outer cortex. See illustration at KIDNEY in Supplement 2. bone marrow 3. any structure similar to bone mar-

row

medulla oblongata /me d"lə ɒblɒŋ &e tə/ noun a continuation of the spinal cord going through the foramen magnum into the brain

medullary /me d"ləri/ adjective 1. similar to

marrow 2. referring to a medulla

medullary cavity /me d"ləri k v ti/ noun a hollow centre of a long bone, containing bone marrow. See illustration at

TURE in Supplement

medullary cord /me d"ləri kɔ d/ noun an epithelial fibre found near the hilum of the fe-

tal ovary

medullated nerve / medəle t d n! v/ noun

a nerve surrounded by a myelin sheath medulloblastoma /me d"ləυbl stəυmə/

noun a tumour which develops in the medulla oblongata and the fourth ventricle of the brain in children

mefenamic acid / mefən m k s d/ noun a drug which reduces inflammation and pain,

used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

and menstrual problems

mefloquine / mefləkwi n/, mefloquine hydrochloride / mefləkwi n ha drəυ klɔ ra d/

noun a drug used in the prevention and treatment of malaria

mega- /me&ə/ prefix 1. large. Opposite micro-

2. one million, or 106

megacolon / me&ə kəυlən/ noun a condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel move-

ments impossible

megajoule / me&əd u l/ noun a unit of measurement of energy equal to one million

joules. Symbol Mj

megakaryocyte / me&ə k riəsa t/ noun a bone marrow cell which produces blood plate-

lets

megalo- /me&ələυ/ prefix large megaloblast / me&ələυbl st/ noun an unu-

sually large blood cell found in the bone marrow of people who have some types of anae-

mia caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency megaloblastic / me&ələυ bl st k/ adjec-

tive referring to megaloblasts

megaloblastic anaemia / me&ələυbl st k ə ni miə/ noun anaemia caused by

Vitamin B12 deficiency

megalocephaly / me&ələυ kefəli/ noun the

condition of having an unusually large head megalocyte / me&ələυsa t/ noun an unusu-

ally large red blood cell, found in pernicious

anaemia

megalomania / me&ələυ me niə/ noun a psychiatric disorder in which a person believes

they are very powerful and important megalomaniac / me&ələυ me ni k/ noun

someone who has megalomania adjective having megalomania

-megaly /me&əli/ suffix enlargement megaureter / me&əjυ ri tə/ noun a condi-

tion in which a part of the ureter becomes very

wide, above the site of a blockage meibomian cyst /ma bəυmiən s st/ noun

the swelling of a sebaceous gland in the eyelid.

Also called chalazion

meibomian gland /ma bəυmiən &l nd/ noun a sebaceous gland on the edge of the eyelid which secretes a liquid to lubricate the eye-

lid. Also called tarsal gland meibomianitis /ma bəυmiə na t s/ noun a

condition in which the meibomian glands be-

come swollen

Meigs’ syndrome / me&z s ndrəυm/ noun a condition in which liquid collects in the chest and abdominal cavities. It is associated with pelvic tumours.

meiosis /ma əυs s/ noun the process of cell division which results in two pairs of haploid cells, i.e. cells with only one set of chromo-

somes. Compare mitosis (NOTE: The US spelling is miosis.)

Meissner’s corpuscle / ma snəz kɔ p"s(ə)l/ noun a receptor cell in the skin which is thought to be sensitive to touch

Meissner’s plexus / ma snəz pleksəs/ noun a network of nerve fibres in the wall of the alimentary canal [Described 1853. After Georg Meissner (1829–1905), German anatomist and physiologist.]

melaena /mə li nə/ noun black faeces where the colour is caused by bleeding in the intestine

melan- /melən/ prefix same as melano- (used before vowels)

melancholia / melən kəυliə/ noun 1. a severe depressive illness occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 65 2. a clinical syndrome with a tendency to delusion, fixed personality and agitated movements

melanin / melən n/ noun a dark pigment which gives colour to skin and hair, also found in the choroid of the eye and in some tumours melanism / melən z(ə)m/ noun 1. the unexpected depositing of dark pigment 2. the staining of all body tissue with melanin in a form of carcinoma

melano- /melənəυ/ prefix black or dark melanocyte / melənəυsa t/ noun any cell which carries pigment

melanocyte-stimulating hormone /

melənəυsa t st mjυle t ŋ hɔ məυm/ noun a hormone produced by the pituitary gland which causes darkening in the colour of the skin. Abbr MSH

melanoderma / melənəυ d! mə/ noun 1. a large amount of melanin in the skin 2. discoloration of patches of the skin

melanoma / melə nəυmə/ noun a tumour formed of dark pigmented cells

COMMENT: ABCD is the key to remember if you want to know if there is a risk of developing a melanoma: A = ASYMMETRY, ie. the two sides are not quite the same, and the mole does not have a perfect shape; B = BORDER, the edge becomes irregular; C = COLOUR, there may be a change in colour, with the mole becoming darker; D = DIAMETER, any change in diameter should be considered an important factor. Among other features, pain is rarely an important feature but itching could be one.

melanophore / melənəυfɔ / noun a cell which contains melanin

melanoplakia / melənəυple kiə/ noun areas of pigment in the mucous membrane inside the mouth

melanosis / melə nəυs s/ noun same as melanism

melanuria / melə njυəriə/ noun 1. the presence of dark colouring in the urine 2. a condition in which the urine turns black after being

allowed to stand, e.g. in cases of malignant melanoma

melasma /mə l zmə/ noun the presence of little brown, yellow or black spots on the skin

melatonin / melə təυn n/ noun a hormone produced by the pineal gland during the hours of darkness, which makes animals sleep during the winter months. It is thought to control the body’s rhythms.

melena /mə li nə/ noun same as melaena

mellitus / mel təs/ diabetes mellitus membrane / membre n/ noun a thin layer of tissue which lines or covers an organ membrane bone / membre n bəυn/ noun a bone which develops from tissue and not from cartilage

membranous / membrənəs/ adjective referring to membranes, or like a membrane membranous labyrinth / membrənəs l bər nθ/ noun a series of ducts and canals formed of membrane inside the osseous labyrinth

memory / mem(ə)ri/ noun the ability to remember He has a very good memory for dates. He said the whole list from memory.

menarche /mə nɑ ki/ noun the start of menstrual periods

mend /mend/ verb to repair something The surgeons are trying to mend the damaged heart valves.

Mendel’s laws / mendəlz lɔ z/ plural noun the laws of heredity, that are the basis of the science of genetics [Described 1865. After Gregor Johann Mendel (1822–84), Austrian Augustinian monk and naturalist of Brno, whose work was rediscovered by de Vries in 1900.]

Mendelson’s syndrome / mendəlsənzs ndrəυm/ noun a sometimes fatal condition

in which acid fluid from the stomach is brought up into the windpipe and passes into the lungs, occurring mainly in obstetric patients [Described 1946. After Curtis L. Mendelson (b. 1913), US obstetrician and gynaecologist.]

Ménière’s disease /meni eəz d zi z/, Ménière’s syndrome / s ndrəυm/ noun a dis-

ease of the middle ear, in which someone becomes dizzy, hears ringing in the ears and may vomit, and becomes progressively deaf. The causes may include infections or allergies, which increase the fluid contents of the labyrinth in the middle ear. [Described 1861. After Prosper Ménière (1799–1862) and his son, Emile Antoine Ménière (1839–1905), French physicians.]

mening- /men nd / prefix same as meningo-

(used before vowels)

meningeal /me n nd iəl/ adjective referring to the meninges

meningeal haemorrhage /me n nd iəl hem(ə)r d / noun a haemorrhage from a meningeal artery

meningeal sarcoma /me n nd iəl sɑ kəυmə/ noun a malignant tumour in the me-

ninges

meninges /me n nd i z/ plural noun the membranes which surround the brain and spinal cord (NOTE: The singular is meninx.)

COMMENT: The meninges are divided into three layers: the tough outer layer (dura mater) which protects the brain and spinal cord; the middle layer (arachnoid mater) and the delicate inner layer (pia mater) which contains the blood vessels. The cerebrospinal fluid flows in the space (subarachnoid space) between the arachnoid mater and pia mater.

meningioma / men nd i əυmə/ noun a benign tumour in the meninges

meningism /me n nd z(ə)m/ noun a condition in which there are signs of meningeal irritation suggesting meningitis, but where there is no pathological change in the cerebrospinal fluid

meningitis / men n d a t s/ noun inflammation of the meninges, causing someone to have violent headaches, fever, and stiff neck muscles, and sometimes to become delirious

COMMENT: Meningitis is a serious viral or bacterial disease which can cause brain damage and even death. The bacterial form can be treated with antibiotics. The most common forms of bacterial meningitis are Hib and meningococcal.

meningo- /mən ŋ&əυ/ prefix referring to the meninges

meningocele /mə n ŋ&əυsi l/ noun a condition in which the meninges protrude through the vertebral column or skull meningococcal /mə n ŋ&əυ kɒk(ə)l/ adjective referring to meningococci

meningococcal disease /mə n ŋ&əυ kɒk(ə)l d zi z/ noun a disease caused by a

meningococcus

meningococcal meningitis /mə n ŋ&əυkɒk(ə)l men n d a t s/ noun the common-

est epidemic form of meningitis, caused by a bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, where the meninges become inflamed causing headaches and fever

meningococcus /mə n ŋ&əυ kɒkəs/ noun the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis which causes meningococcal meningitis (NOTE: The

plural is meningococci.) meningoencephalitis /mə n ŋ&əυen kefə

la t s/ noun inflammation of the meninges and the brain

meningoencephalocele /mə n ŋ&əυen kefələυsi l/ noun a condition in which part of

the meninges and the brain push through a gap in the skull

meningomyelocele /mə n ŋ&əυ ma ələυ si l/ noun the pushing forward of part of the

meninges and spinal cord through a gap in the spine. Also called myelomeningocele, mye-

locele

meningovascular /mə n ŋ əυ v skjυlə/ adjective referring to the meningeal blood vessels

meninx / men ŋks/ noun meninges meniscectomy / men sektəmi/ noun the

surgical removal of a cartilage from the knee meniscus /mə n skəs/ noun one of two pads

of cartilage, the lateral meniscus and medial meniscus, between the femur and tibia in a knee joint. Also called semilunar cartilage

(NOTE: The plural is menisci.)

meno- /menəυ/ prefix referring to menstrua-

tion

menopausal / menə pɔ z(ə)l/ adjective re-

ferring to the menopause

menopause / menəpɔ z/ noun a period, usually between 45 and 55 years of age, when a woman stops menstruating and can no longer bear children. Also called climacteric, change of life

menorrhagia / menə re d iə/ noun very heavy bleeding during menstruation. Also called flooding

menorrhoea / menə ri ə/ noun normal

bleeding during menstruation

menses / mensi z/ plural noun same as menstruation

menstrual / menstruəl/ adjective referring

to menstruation

menstrual cramp / menstruəl kr mp/ noun a cramp in the muscles round the uterus

during menstruation

menstrual cycle / menstruəl sa k(ə)l/ noun a period, usually of 28 days, during which a woman ovulates, the walls of the uterus swell and bleeding takes place if the ovum

has not been fertilised

menstrual flow / menstruəl fləυ/ noun the discharge of blood from the uterus during

menstruation

menstruate / menstrue t/ verb to bleed

from the uterus during menstruation menstruation / menstru e ʃ(ə)n/ noun

bleeding from the uterus which occurs in a woman each month when the lining of the uterus is shed because no fertilised egg is

present

menstruum / menstru əm/ noun a liquid used in the extract of active principles from an unrefined drug

mental / ment(ə)l/ adjective 1. referring to

the mind 2. referring to the chin

mental aberration / ment(ə)l bə re ʃ(ə)n/ noun slight forgetfulness or confusion (often humorous) I thought the meeting was at 11 –

I must have had a mental aberration. mental age / ment(ə)l e d / noun a meas-

urement based on intelligence tests that shows

a person’s intellectual development, usually compared to standardised data for a chronological age he’s nine, but he has a mental age of five although he is nine years old, his level of intellectual development is the same as that of an average child of five

mental block / ment(ə)l blɒk/ noun a temporary inability to remember something, caused by the effect of nervous stress on the mental processes

mental deficiency / ment(ə)l d f ʃ(ə)nsi/ noun a former term for learning disability

(NOTE: This term is regarded as offensive.)

mental development / ment(ə)l dveləpmənt/ noun the development of the

mind Her mental development is higher than usual for her age.

mental disorder / ment(ə)l d s ɔ də/ noun a temporary or permanent change in a person’s mental state which makes them function less effectively than they would usually, or than the average person would be expected to function mental faculties / ment(ə)l f kəlti z/ plural noun abilities such as thinking and deci- sion-making There has been no impairment of the mental faculties.

mental handicap / ment(ə)l h ndik p/ noun a former term for learning disability

(NOTE: This term is regarded as offensive.) mental health / ment(ə)l helθ/ noun the condition of someone’s mind

Mental Health Acts / ment(ə)l helθ kts/ plural noun laws made by a parliament which lay down rules for the care of people with mental illness

Mental Health Review Tribunal /

ment(ə)l helθ r vju tra bju n(ə)l/ noun a committee which makes decisions about whether people who have been detained under the Mental Health Acts should be released. It consists of medical members, legal experts and lay members, who include people with experience in social services. Abbr MHRT mental hospital / ment(ə)l hɒsp t(ə)l/ noun a psychiatric hospital (NOTE: This term is

regarded as offensive.)

mental illness / ment(ə)l lnəs/ noun any disorder which affects the mind

mental impairment / ment(ə)l mpeəmənt/ noun a temporary or permanent

condition which affects a person’s mental state, making them function less effectively than they would usually, or than the average person would be expected to function mentalis muscle /men te l s m$s(ə)l/ noun a muscle attached to the front of the lower jaw and the skin of the chin

mentally / ment(ə)li/ adverb in the mind

Mentally, she is very advanced for her age. mentally handicapped / ment(ə)lih ndik pt/ adjective a former term for

someone with learning disability (NOTE: This

term is usually regarded as offensive.) mentally ill / ment(ə)li l/ adjective experi-

encing mental illness

mental nerve / ment(ə)l n! v/ noun a nerve

which supplies the chin

mental patient / ment(ə)l pe ʃ(ə)nt/ noun a former term of a patient who has mental ill-

ness (NOTE: This term is regarded as offensive.) mental retardation / ment(ə)l ri tɑ

de ʃ(ə)n/ noun a former term for learning disability, a condition that results in someone finding it difficult to learn skills or information at the same rate as others of a similar age

(NOTE: This term is regarded as offensive.) mental subnormality / ment(ə)l s"bnɔ m l ti/ noun a former term for mental impairment (NOTE: This term is usually regarded as of-

fensive.)

menthol / menθɒl/ noun a strongly scented compound, produced from peppermint oil, used in cough medicines and in the treatment

of neuralgia

mentholated / menθəle t d/ adjective im-

pregnated with menthol

mento- /mentəυ/ prefix relating to the chin mentor / mentɔ / noun somebody who advis-

es and guides a younger, less experienced per-

son verb to act as a mentor to somebody mentum / mentəm/ noun the chin

meralgia /mə r ld ə/, meralgia paraesthetica /mə r ld ə p res θet kə/ noun pain in

the top of the thigh caused by a pinched nerve mercurialism /mə kjυəriəl z(ə)m/ noun

mercury poisoning

mercurochrome /mə kjυərəυkrəυm/ noun a red antiseptic solution

mercury / m! kjυri/ noun a poisonous liquid metal, used in thermometers (NOTE: The chemical symbol is Hg.)

mercury poisoning / m! kjυripɔ z(ə)n ŋ/ noun poisoning by drinking mercury or mercury compounds or by inhaling mercury vapour

mercy killing / m! si k l ŋ/ noun same as euthanasia

meridian /mə r diən/ noun in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, one of the pathways in the body along which its energy is believed to flow

Merkel’s cells / m! kelz selz/, Merkel’s discs / m! kelz d sks/ plural noun epithelial cells in the deeper part of the dermis which form touch receptors [After Friedrich Siegmund

Merkel (1845–1919), German anatomist] merocrine / merəυkra n/ adjective same as

eccrine

mes- /mes/ prefix same as meso- (used before vowels)

mesaortitis / mese ɔ ta t s/ noun inflammation of the media of the aorta

mesarteritis /mes ɑ tə ra t s/ noun inflam-

mation of the media of an artery mesencephalon /mesen kefəlɒn/ noun

same as midbrain

mesenteric / mesen ter k/ adjective refer-

ring to the mesentery

mesenterica /mesen ter kə/ tabes me-

senterica

mesenteric artery / mesenter k ɑ təri/ noun one of two arteries, the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, which supply the small intestine or the transverse colon and rec-

tum

mesenteric ganglion / mesenter k & ŋ&liən/ noun a plexus of sympathetic

nerve fibres and ganglion cells around the su-

perior mesenteric artery

mesenteric vein / mesenter k ve n/ noun a vein in the portal system running from the in-

testine to the portal vein

mesentery / mesent(ə)ri/ noun a doublelayer peritoneum which attaches the small intestine and other abdominal organs to the abdominal wall

mesial / mi siəl/ adjective 1. in dentistry, relating to the middle of the front of the jaw, or occurring in a place near this 2. relating to or

located in the middle part of something meso- /mesəυ/ prefix middle mesoappendix / mesəυə pend ks/ noun a

fold of peritoneum which links the appendix

and the ileum

mesocolon / mesəυ kəυlən/ noun a fold of peritoneum which supports the colon. In an adult it supports the transverse and sigmoid

sections only.

mesoderm / mesəυd! m/ noun the middle layer of an embryo, which develops into muscles, bones, blood, kidneys, cartilages, urinary ducts and the cardiovascular and lymphatic

systems

mesodermal / mesəυ d! m(ə)l/ adjective

referring to the mesoderm

mesometrium / mesəυ mi triəm/ noun a

muscle layer of the uterus

mesonephros / mesəυ nefrɒs/ noun kid-

ney tissue which exists in a human embryo mesosalpinx / mesəυ s lp ŋks/ noun the

upper part of the broad ligament around the

Fallopian tubes

mesotendon / mesəυ tendən/ noun synovial membrane connecting the lining of the fi-

brous sheath to that of a tendon mesothelioma / mesəυti li əυmə/ noun a

tumour of the serous membrane, which can be

benign or malignant

mesothelium / mesəυ θi liəm/ noun a layer of cells lining a serous membrane. Compare

epithelium, endothelium

mesovarium / mesəυ veəriəm/ noun a fold of peritoneum around the ovaries

messenger RNA / mes(ə)nd ə ɑ r en e / noun a type of ribonucleic acid which transmits the genetic code from the DNA to the ribosomes which form the proteins coded on the DNA. Abbr mRNA

mestranol / mi strənɒl/ noun a synthetically produced oestrogen used in birth control pills

meta- /metə/ prefix referring to change meta analysis / metə ə n ləs s/ noun a statistical procedure to combine the results from many studies to give a single estimate, giving weight to large studies

metabolic / metə bɒl k/ adjective referring to metabolism

metabolic acidosis / metəbɒl k s dəυs s/ noun acidosis caused by a malfunction of the body’s metabolism

metabolic alkalosis / metəbɒl k lkə ləυs s/ noun alkalosis caused by a malfunction of the body’s metabolism

metabolise /mə t bəla z/, metabolize verb to change the nature of something by metabolism The liver metabolises proteins and carbohydrates.

metabolism /mə t bəl z(ə)m/ noun the chemical processes which are continually taking place in the human body and which are essential to life, especially the processes that convert food into energy

COMMENT: Metabolism covers all changes which take place in the body: the building of tissue (anabolism); the breaking down of tissue (catabolism); the conversion of nutrients into tissue; the elimination of waste matter and the action of hormones.

metabolite /mə t bəla t/ noun a substance produced by metabolism, or a substance taken into the body in food and then metabolised

metacarpal bone / metə kɑ p(ə)l bəυn/, metacarpal / metə kɑ p(ə)l/ noun one of the

five bones in the metacarpus metacarpophalangeal / metə kɑ pəυfə l nd iəl/ adjective relating to the part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers

metacarpophalangeal joint

kɑ pəυfə l nd iəl d ɔ nt/ noun a joint between a metacarpal bone and a finger. Also called MCP joint, MP joint

‘…replacement of the MCP joint is usually undertaken to relieve pain, deformity and immobility due to rheumatoid arthritis’ [Nursing Times]

metacarpus / metə kɑ pəs/ noun the five bones in the hand between the fingers and the wrist. See illustration at HAND in Supplement

metal / met(ə)l/ noun material, either an element or a compound, which can carry heat and electricity. Some metals are essential for life.

metallic /me t l k/ adjective like a metal, referring to a metal

metallic element /me t l k el mənt/ noun a chemical element which is a metal

metamorphopsia / metəmɔ fɒpsiə/ noun a condition in which someone sees objects in distorted form, usually due to inflammation of

the choroid

metaphase / metəfe z/ noun one of the stages in mitosis or meiosis

metaphysis /me t fəs s/ noun the end of the central section of a long bone, where the bone grows and where it joins the epiphysis metaplasia /metə ple ziə/ noun a change of one tissue to another

metastasis /me t stəs s/ noun the spreading of a malignant disease from one part of the body to another through the bloodstream or the lymph system. Also called secondary growth

(NOTE: The plural is metastases.)

‘…he suddenly developed problems with his balance and a solitary brain metastasis was diagnosed’

[British Journal of Nursing]

metastasise /me t stəsa z/, metastasize verb to spread by metastasis

metastatic / metə st t k/ adjective relating to, or produced by, metastasis Metastatic

growths developed in the liver.

metatarsal / metə tɑ s(ə)l/ noun one of the five bones in the metatarsus adjective relat-

ing to the metatarsus

metatarsal arch / metə tɑ s(ə)l ɑ tʃ/ noun an arched part of the sole of the foot, running across the sole of the foot from side to side.

Also called transverse arch

metatarsalgia / metətɑ s ld ə/ noun pain in the heads of the metatarsal bones

metatarsophalangeal joint /metə tɑ səυ fə l nd iəl d ɔ nt/ noun a joint between a

metatarsal bone and a toe

metatarsus / metə tɑ səs/ noun the five long bones in the foot between the toes and the tarsus. See illustration at FOOT in Supplement

(NOTE: The plural is metatarsi.)

metatarsus adductus / metətɑ səs ə d"ktəs/ noun a condition found in newborn

babies or young infants in which the front half of the foot is twisted inwards at an angle to the

heel

meteorism / mi tiər z(ə)m/ noun same as tympanites

meter / mi tə/ noun US same as metre

-meter /mi tə, m tə/ suffix measuring instrument

metformin /met fɔ m n/ noun a drug which reduces the level of the blood sugar levels, used to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes

which does not respond to dietary measures methadone / meθədəυn/ noun a synthetical-

ly produced narcotic drug, used to reduce pain and as a substitute for heroin in the treatment of addiction

methaemoglobin

noun a dark brown substance formed from haemoglobin which develops during illness, following treatment with some drugs. Methae-