Copy of `MediChecks - Medical glossary`

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MediChecks - Medical glossary Category: Health and Medicine Date & country: 06/01/2008, UK Words: 1901

Metabolic rate
the speed at which the body uses energy

Mesothelium
a tissue layer that lines the heart, abdomen, chest cavity, and lungs

Messenger RNA
an RNA molecule that transports the information stored in DNA out of a cell's nucleus in order to make proteins

Mesothelioma
a cancerous tumour occurring in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, often associated with exposure to asbestos dust

Mesenteric lymphadenitis
inflammation of lymph nodes in an abdominal membrane

Mesenteric infarction
death of tissue in the intestine due to lack of blood supply to that tissue

Menstruation
the shedding of the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle

Menstrual cycle
the periodic discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the uterus, occurring from puberty to menopause in a woman who is not pregnant

Menorrhagia
excessive loss of blood during menstruation, which can be caused by disorders of the uterus

Menopause
the period in a woman's life when menstruation stops, resulting in a reduced production of oestrogen and cessation of egg production

Meniscus
a crescent-shaped pad of cartilage in joints that helps to reduce friction

Meniscectomy
surgical removal of all or part of a cartilage disk from a joint

Meningocele
a protrusion of the meninges through an opening in the skull or spinal cord due to a genetic defect

Meningitis
inflammation of the meninges; usually caused by infection by a micro-organism (meningitis caused by bacteria is life-threatening; viral meningitis is milder)

Meningioma
a rare noncancerous tumour developing in the protective membranes covering the brain called the meninges; can cause headaches and problems with vision and mental function

Meninges
the three membranes that surround and protect the spinal cord and brain

Meniere's disease
a disorder of the inner ear, causing hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and the sensation that one's surroundings are spinning

Menarche
the beginning of menstruation

Melanoma
a skin tumour composed of cells called melanocytes

Melanocytes
cells that produce the pigment melanin

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
a hormone that co-ordinates pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair

Meiosis
the type of cell division that occurs only in the ovaries and testicles, producing cells with half the genes of the original cell; these cells then form eggs and sperm

Melanin
the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their colouring

Megaloblastic anaemia
a type of anaemia in which a lack of the vitamin B12 or folic acid interferes with red blood cells and causes them to be enlarged and deformed, resulting in tiredness and weight loss

Megacolon
a severely swollen large intestine, causing severe constipation and abdominal bloating; may be present at birth or develops later

Medulloblastoma
a type of cancerous tumour, occurring in the section of the brain that controls posture and balance; found mainly in children

Medulla
the centre part of an organ or body structure; sometimes used to refer to the lower part of the brain stem

Mediastinoscopy
investigation of the central chest compartment using an endoscope that is inserted through an incision in the neck

Median nerve
a nerve running down the arm to the hand; controls muscle movement in the forearm and hand and conveys sensation from part of the hand

Medial
a term used to describe something situated on or near the midline of the body or a body structure

Meconium
thick, sticky, greenish-brown stool passed by a post-mature foetus, or one experiencing foetal distress, into the amniotic fluid, or by an infant during the first couple of days after birth

Measles
an illness caused by a viral infection, causing a characteristic rash and a fever; primarily affects children

Maxilla
one of two bones that form the upper jaw, the roof of the mouth, and the centre portion of the face

Mastitis
inflammation of the breast, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection

Mastectomy
a surgical procedure in which all or part of the breast is removed to prevent the spread of cancer

Mast cell
a type of cell present in most body tissues that releases substances in response to an allergen, which causes symptoms such as inflammation

Marfan's syndrome
a rare genetic disorder that affects connective tissue, leading to abnormalities of joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, arteries, and/or the heart

Manic-depressive disorder
a mental disorder characterised by extreme mood swings, including either mania, depression, or a continuing shift between the two extremes

MAO inhibitor
see Monoamine oxidise inhibitor antidepressant

Mania
a mental disorder characterised by extreme excitement, happiness, over-activity, and agitation; usually refers to the high of the highs and lows experienced in manic-depressive disorder

Mandible
another term for the lower jaw

Mammography
an X-ray procedure done to detect breast cancer

Mammoplasty
a general term for a cosmetic operation on the breasts; includes breast reduction, enlargement, and reconstruction after a mastectomy

Mallory-Weiss syndrome
a condition associated with alcoholism in which the lower end of the oesophagus tears, causing vomiting of blood

Malignant hyperthermia
a reaction to certain anaesthesia gases involving intense muscle contractions and a high fever

Malignant melanoma
the most serious type of skin cancer, in which a mole changes shape, darkens, becomes painful, and/or bleeds easily

Malformation
abnormal development of an organ or tissue

Malignant
a word used to describe a condition that is characterised by uncontrolled growth and/or that can be fatal, such as a cancerous tumour

Malaria
a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes that causes chills and fever; potentially fatal complications in the liver, kidneys, blood, and brain are possible

Malabsorption
an impaired ability of the lining of the small intestine to absorb nutrients from food

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create high-quality cross-sectional images of the body without using radiation

Magnesium
a mineral that is essential for many body functions, including nerve impulse transmission, formation of bones and teeth, and muscle contraction

Macular degeneration
gradual loss of vision due to deterioration of nerve tissue in the retina

Macula
the area of the retina that allows fine details to be observed at the centre of vision; also refers to any small, flat spot on the skin

Lymphosarcoma
another name for a non-Hodgkin's sarcoma; a cancerous tumour in lymphoid tissue

Lymphomas
a group of cancer of the lymph nodes and spleen that can spread to other parts of the body

Lymphogranuloma venereum
a sexually transmitted chlamydial infection; common in countries with a tropical climate

Lymphocytic leukaemia
a disease in which white blood cells called lymphocytes divide uncontrollably

Lymphangiography
an X-ray procedure that creates images of the lymphatic system

Lymphatic system
a network of vessels that drain lymph back into the blood

Lymphocyte
a white blood cell that is an important part of the body's immune system, helping to destroy invading micro-organisms

Lymphadenopathy
swollen lymph nodes

Lymph node
a small gland that is part of the immune system; contains white blood cells and antibodies and helps fight against the spread of infection

Lymph
a milky fluid containing white blood cells, proteins, and fats; plays an important role in absorbing fats from the intestine and in the functioning of the immune system

Lyme disease
a disease caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of a tick; characterised by fever, rash, and inflammation of the heart and joints

Lupus erythematosus
a disorder of the immune system that causes inflammation of connective tissue

Luteinizing hormone
a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that causes the ovaries and testicles to release sex hormones and plays a role in the development of eggs and sperm

Lungs
two organs in the chest that take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide

Lumpectomy
surgical removal of a section of breast containing cancer

Lung collapse
a condition in which all or part of a lung cannot expand and fill with air

Lumbar spine
the lower part of the spine between the lowest pair of ribs and the pelvis; made up of five vertebrae

Lumbar puncture
a procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower region of the spinal canal to take out a sample of spinal fluid or to inject a drug

Lumbago
dull, aching pain in the lower back

Low-density lipoprotein
a type of lipoprotein that is the major carrier of cholesterol in the blood, with high levels associated with narrowing of the arteries and heart disease

Lou Gehrig's disease
see Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Lordosis
the inward curvature of the spine at the lower back, which is normal to a certain degree; abnormal as a result of certain medical conditions, being overweight, or having muscle problems

Locomotor system
the structures of the body that are responsible for its movement

Locked joint
a joint that cannot be moved because of a disease or a lodged piece of bone or cartilage

Lockjaw
a spasm of the jaw muscles that prevents the mouth from opening, such as that caused by tetanus

Local anaesthesia
a method of preventing pain by inducing the loss of sensation in a certain area of the body while the patient remains awake

Lobectomy
surgical removal of a lobe

Lobe
a well-defined, separate part of an organ

Liver failure
the final stage of liver disease, in which liver function becomes so impaired that other areas of the body are affected, most commonly the brain

Liver
the largest organ in the body, producing many essential chemicals and regulating the levels of most vital substances in the blood

Lithotripsy
a procedure done to break up stones in the urinary tract using ultrasonic shock waves, so that the fragments can be easily passed from the body

Listeriosis
a rare bacterial infection acquired by eating undercooked infected meat or from infected live animals; can be dangerous to new-borns and the elderly

Liposuction
a surgical procedure in which fat is removed from areas of the body using a suction pump

Liposarcoma
a cancerous tumour of fatty tissue

Lipoproteins
substances containing lipids and proteins, comprising most fats in the blood

Lipoma
a noncancerous tumour of fatty tissue

Lipids
a group of fats stored in the body and used for energy

Lipidosis
any disorder in which fats cannot be properly broken down by the digestive system

Lipid-lowering drugs
drugs taken to lower the levels of specific fats called lipids in the blood in order to reduce the risk of narrowing of the arteries

Ligation
the process of closing a blood vessel or duct by tying it off

Ligament
a tough, elastic band of tissue that connects bones and supports organs

LH
see Luteinizing hormone

Lichen planus
a common skin disease in which itchy, small, pink or purple spots appear on the arms or legs

Leukoplakia
white patches that can develop in the mouth or on the penis or the opening of the vagina and are potentially cancerous

Leukodystrophy
a group of childhood genetic disorders in which the protective coverings of the nerves are destroyed

Leukocyte
another name for a white blood cells