M
- macrophages (MAK-rŏ-fāj):
- A type of leukocyte (usually a monocyte) that has the ability to ingest and destroy other cells or pathogens.
- macule (MAK-ūl):
- Flat, colored spot on the skin.
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (MAG-nĕ-tik RĔZ-ō-năns IM-ă-jing):
- Radio frequency waves and a strong magnetic field provide clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues.
- mainstream smoke (MĀN-strēm smōk):
- Smoke inhaled by the smoker.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (hĭs-tō-kŏm-păt-ĭ-BĬL-ĭ-tē KOM-pleks):
- Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules, also called Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) are protein structures found on the outside of cells that help the immune system recognize non-self antigens.
- malabsorption (mal-ăb-SORP-shŏn):
- A disorder that occurs when people are unable to absorb nutrients from their diets.
- maldigestion (măl-dī-JĔS-chŭn):
- Poor breakdown of food.
- malignant (mă-LIG-nănt):
- Cancerous.
- mammogram (MĂM-ō-grăm):
- Radiographic image of the breast.
- mammography (ma-MOG-ră-fē):
- Radiographic imaging of the breast.
- mammoplasty (MAM-ă-plas-tē):
- Surgical repair of the breast particularly after a mastectomy.
- mast cell:
- Cell found in the skin and the lining of body cells that contains cytoplasmic granules with vasoactive mediators such as histamine.
- mastalgia (mas-TAL-jă):
- Pain in the breast.
- mastectomy (mas-TEK-tŏ-mē):
- Excision of breast(s) and or breast tissue.
- mastitis (mas-TĪT-ĭs):
- Inflammation of the breast.
- mastoidectomy (măs-tŏy-d-ĔK-tō-mē):
- Excision of the mastoid bone.
- mastoiditis (mas-toyd-ĪT-ĭs):
- Inflammation of the mastoid bone.
- mastoidotomy (măs-toyd-ŎT-ō-mē):
- Incision into the mastoid bone.
- mastopexy (MAS-tŏ-pek-sē):
- Surgical fixation of the breast.
- maxillectomy (măks-ĭl-EK-tŏ-mē):
- Excision of the maxilla.
- maxillitis (măks-ĭl-Ī-tĭs):
- Inflammation of the maxilla.
- meatal (mē-ĀT-ăl):
- Pertaining to the meatus.
- meatotomy (mē-ă-TOT-ŏ-mē):
- Incision into the meatus.
- mechanoreceptors (mek-ă-nō-rĕ-SEP-tŏr):
- A sensory neuron that responds to mechanical pressure.
- meconium (mē-KŌ-nē-ŭm):
- First stool of the newborn.
- meconium staining (mē-KŌ-nē-ŭm STĀN-ĭng):
- When the fetus defecates while in utero; the first defecation is called meconium, it is black and sticky. If the infant inhales the meconium upon delivery or through the birth canal, the meconium can be aspirated into the lungs and stick to the lung tissue. The newborn will have problems breathing and go into distress. The newborn’s umbilical cord will be stained a brownish color.
- medial (MĒD-ē-ăl):
- Describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.
- medulla oblongata (mĕ-DŬL-ă ob-long-GOT-ă):
- A part of the brain stem responsible for control of heart rate and breathing. The continuation of the spinal cord within the skull, forming the lowest part of the brainstem, contains the control centers for heart and lung nerve function.
- Meissner corpuscle (MĪS-nĕr KOR-pŭs-ĕl):