Copy of `Dorland's Medical Dictionary`

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Dorland's Medical Dictionary
Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary
Date & country: 31/12/2010, USA
Words: 39128


maternal deprivation syndrome
failure to thrive with severe growth retardation, unresponsiveness to the environment, depression, retarded mental and emotional development, and behavioral problems as a result of loss, absence, or neglect of the mother or other primary caregiver.

maternal herpes
active genital herpes during pregnancy and the perinatal period. Herpes infection during early pregnancy can result in a viral septicemia and spontaneous abortion. Infants born of mothers with active herpes are likely to become infected during a vaginal delivery. About 50 per cent of these babies die, and of those who survive, ...

maternal inheritance
transmission of characters only from the maternal parent, as is characteristic of genes carried on the mitochondrial genome or other cytoplasmic organelle.

maternal obstetric palsy
maternal obstetric paralysis paralysis affecting some portion of the mother's lower limb due to compression of a nerve during delivery, usually when the fetus is large and the mother is small and has difficult labor. The most common cause is compression of the lumbosacral plexus or its nerves by the fetal head or forceps, ...

maternal-fetal medicine
a subspecialty of obstetrics concerned with the obstetrical, medical, genetic, and surgical complications of pregnancy and their effects on the mother and fetus.

mathematics disorder
a learning disorder in which the skill affected is mathematical calculation or reasoning.

matrix
(ma´triks) pl. ma´trices the intercellular substance of a tissue (such as bone matrix), or the tissue from which a structure develops (such as hair or nail matrix). a metal or plastic band used to provide proper form to a tooth filling. bone matrix the intercellular sub...

matrix band
a cylindrical metal band with a special clamp or holder (the matrix retainer); it is filled with softened impression compound and seated over a tooth so that the compound flows into the prepared cavity and an impression of the tooth can be obtained. It is also used for placement and contouring of certain restorative materials.

matrix cells
flat cells found in the lobules of sebaceous glands.

matrix protein
a nonglycosylated protein occurring between the nucleocapsid and envelope layers of certain viruses, such as orthomyxoviruses, and playing a role in the assembly of the virus particle. Called also M protein.

matter
(mat´әr) physical material having form and weight under ordinary conditions; called also substance. pus. gray matter areas of the nervous system where the nerve fibers are unmyelinated (not enveloped by a myelin sheath); it contains the bodies of the nerve cells. Tissu...

mattress suture
suturing with the stitches parallel to the wound edges (horizontal mattress suture) or at right angles to them (vertical mattress suture).

Matulane
(mat´u-lān) trademark for a preparation of procarbazine, an antineoplastic agent.

maturation
(mach″u-ra´shәn) the stage or process of attaining maximal development; attainment of maximal intellectual and emotional development. in biology, a process of cell division during which the number of chromosomes in the germ cell is reduced to half the number characteristic of the species.

mature cataract
a cataract with swelling and opacity of the entire lens; cataracts are normally removed before this point.

maturity-onset diabetes mellitus
former name for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

maturity-onset diabetes of youth
(MODY) an autosomal dominant variety of type 2 diabetes mellitus characterized by onset in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Maurer dots
irregular dots that stain red with the Leishman stain, seen in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum.

Mauriac syndrome
(mo″re-ahk´) dwarfism, hepatomegaly, obesity, and retarded sexual maturation, in association with diabetes mellitus.

Mauthner cell
a large cell in the metencephalon of fishes and amphibians that gives rise to the Mauthner fiber.

maxilla
(mak-sil´ә) either of two identical bones that form the upper jaw. They meet in the middle of the face and often are considered as one bone. They have been described as the architectural key of the face because all bones of the face except the mandible touch them. The maxillae form the floor of the orbits fo...

maxillary antrum
maxillary sinus.

maxillary arch
the dental arch formed by the teeth of the maxilla; called also superior dental arch.

maxillary artery
origin, external carotid artery; branches, deep auricular, anterior tympanic, inferior alveolar, middle meningeal, pterygomeningeal, masseteric, anterior and posterior deep temporal, buccal, posterior superior alveolar, infraorbital, descending palatine, and sphenopalatine arteries, and artery of pterygoid canal; distribu...

maxillary bone
maxilla.

maxillary nerve
one of the three terminal divisions of the trigeminal nerve, passing through the foramen rotundum, and entering the pterygopalatine fossa. Origin, trigeminal ganglion; branches, meningeal branch, zygomatic, superior alveolar, and infraorbital nerves, ganglionic branches to pterygopalatine ganglion, and, indirectly, the branches...

maxillary process
maxillary prominence. (of inferior nasal concha) a bony process descending from the ethmoid process of the inferior nasal concha.

maxillary prominence
the dorsal prominence formed by bifurcation of the mandibular (first pharyngeal) arch in the embryo, which joins with the medial nasal prominence on the same side in the formation of the upper jaw. Called also maxillary process.

maxillary sinus
one of the paired paranasal sinuses in the body of the maxilla on either side, opening into the middle nasal meatus on the same side.

maxillary teeth
the teeth of the maxilla (upper jaw).

maxillary veins
veins from the pterygoid plexus, usually forming a single short trunk, passing back and uniting with the superficial temporal vein in the parotid gland to form the retromandibular vein.

maxilloethmoidectomy
(mak-sil″o-eth″moi-dek´tә-me) excision of the portion of the maxilla surrounding the maxillary sinus and of the cribriform plate and anterior ethmoid cells.

maxillofacial
(mak-sil″o-fa´shәl) pertaining to the maxilla and the face.

maxillofacial prosthesis
a prosthetic replacement for parts of the maxilla, mandible, or face that are missing or defective because of surgical intervention, trauma, pathology, or developmental malformations.

maxillofacial surgery
oral and maxillofacial surgery.

maxillomandibular
(mak-sil″o-man-dib´u-lәr) pertaining to the upper and lower jaws.

maxillomandibular traction
traction applied by means of elastic or wire ligatures and wiring or splinting of the teeth; called also intermaxillary traction.

maxillotomy
(mak″sĭ-lot´ә-me) surgical sectioning of the maxilla, which allows movement of all or part of the maxilla into the desired position.

maxilloturbinal bone
inferior nasal concha.

maximal breathing capacity
maximum voluntary ventilation.

maximal diastolic potential
the most negative level attained during the cardiac cycle by the cell membrane of a fiber that does not have a constant resting potential, occurring at the end of phase 3 of the action potential. In pacemaker cells this is a point of hyperpolarization.

maximal dose
maximum dose the largest quantity of an agent that may be safely administered to the average patient; see also tolerance dose.

maximal exercise test
an exercise test that continues until the maximal capability of the subject to exercise has been reached; the endpoint is usually subjective fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

maximal expiratory flow
FEF200–1200; the rate of airflow at forced vital capacity, represented graphically as the slope of the line connecting the points 200 mL and 1200 mL on the forced expiratory volume curve. Called also maximal expiratory flow rate.

maximal expiratory flow rate
(MEFR) maximal expiratory flow.

maximal expiratory pressure
maximum expiratory pressure.

maximal inspiratory pressure
the pressure during inhalation against a completely occluded airway; used to evaluate inspiratory respiratory muscle strength and readiness for mechanical ventilatory weaning.

maximal midexpiratory flow
FEF25–75; the maximum rate of airflow measured between expired volumes of 25 and 75 per cent of the vital capacity during a forced expiration; represented graphically as the slope of the line connecting the points on the forced expiratory volume curve at 25 and 75 per cent of the forced vital capacity. Called also maximal...

maximal midexpiratory flow rate
(MMFR) maximal midexpiratory flow.

maximal voluntary ventilation
maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV) the maximum volume that can be exhaled per minute by the patient breathing as rapidly and deeply as possible. Called also maximal breathing capacity.

maximum
(mak´sĭ-mәm) the greatest quantity, effect, or value possible or achieved under given circumstances. adj., max´imal., adj. transport maximum , tubular maximumTm the highest rate in milligrams per minute at which the renal tubules can transfer a substan...

maximum expiratory pressure
(MEP) a measure of the strength of respiratory muscles, obtained by having the patient exhale as strongly as possible against a mouthpiece; the maximum value is near total lung capacity.

maximum inspiratory pressure
the inspiratory pressure generated against a completely occluded airway; used to evaluate inspiratory respiratory muscle strength and readiness for mechanical ventilatory weaning. A maximum inspiratory pressure above −25 cm H2O is a sign that weaning may be successful.

maximum occipital point
the point in the occipital bone that is farthest from the glabella.

maximum permissible dose
the largest amount of ionizing radiation that one may safely receive within a specified period according to recommended limits in current radiation protection guides. The specific amounts vary with age and circumstance.

maximum tolerated dose
tolerance dose.

May-White syndrome
(ma´ hwīt´) a rare autosomal dominant syndrome of myoclonus, cerebellar ataxia, and deafness.

Mayaro virus
an arbovirus of the genus Alphavirus, originally isolated in Mayaro County, Trinidad, that causes a dengue-like illness in Central and South America; transmission is by mosquitoes of the genus Haemagogus.

Maydl operation
one of the pioneering treatments for exstrophy of the bladder, attaching the ureters to the rectum .

Mayer position
a radiographic position that gives a unilateral superoinferior view of the temporomandibular joint, external auditory canal, and mastoid and petrous processes; helpful in demonstrating fractures and malformations of the temporomandibular joint and in the study of bony atresia of the external auditory canal.

Mayer reflex
opposition and adduction of the thumb combined with flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joint and extension at the interphalangeal joint, on downward pressure of the index finger.

Mayer test
(for alkaloids) mercury bichloride, 13.5 g, and potassium iodide, 50 g, are dissolved in 1000 mL of water; this is used as a test for alkaloid, with which it gives a white precipitate.

Mayer waves
regular variations in blood pressure over intervals longer than those of Traube-Hering waves, associated with pathologic mechanisms such as abnormal oscillations in the baroreceptor system or activation of vasopressor reflexes.

Mayerhofer test
(for tuberculous meningitis) the reduction of a decinormal solution of potassium permanganate solution by 1 mL of spinal fluid in an acid medium is an index of the amount of protein substance present in the fluid, indicating tuberculous meningitis.

Maylard incision
an abdominal incision in the surgical approach to the female reproductive organs.

Mazabraud syndrome
(mah-zah-bro´) a syndrome of fibrous dysplasia associated with soft tissue myxomas.

maze
(māz) a complicated system of intersecting paths used in intelligence tests and in demonstrating learning in experimental animals.

mazindol
(ma´zin-dol) a sympathomimetic amine having amphetamine-like actions; used as an oral appetite suppressant.

Mazzotti test
(for onchocerciasis) a small dose of diethylcarbamazine is administered orally; the death of microfilariae in the skin causes an intensely pruritic rash within 20 minutes to 24 hours.

MBC
minimal bactericidal concentration.

MC
abbreviation for Latin Ma´gister Chirur´giae (Master of Surgery).

MC
Medical Corps.

McArdle disease
(mәk-ahr´dәl) glycogen storage disease, type V.

McBride operation
resection of the medial prominence of the first metatarsal head, medial capsulorrhaphy, resection of the fibular sesamoid, and transfer of the adductor tendon to the neck of the first metatarsal; done for hallux valgus.

McBurney incision
an abdominal incision parallel to the fibers of the external oblique muscle, about one-third the distance along a line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus, half the incision being above and the remainder below this point. The skin and subcutaneous fat are incised down to the external oblique muscle, th...

McBurney point
(mәk-bur´ne) a point about 4 to 5 cm from the right anterior iliac spine on a line between the spine and the navel, corresponding to the normal position of the appendix; it is especially tender upon pressure in patients with appendicitis. McBurney point.

McBurney sign
(mәk-bur´ne) special tenderness at the McBurney point, indicating appendicitis.

McCarthy reflex
supraorbital reflex.

McCormac reflex
patelloadductor reflex.

McCune-Albright syndrome
(mә-kūn´ awl´brīt) Albright syndrome.

McDonald operation
(mәk-don´әld) an operation for incompetent cervix, in which the cervical os is closed with a purse-string suture.

McDonald rule
(mәk-don´әld) the length in centimeters of the abdominal contour from the upper margin of the pubic symphysis to the fundus of the uterus, divided by 3.5, gives the duration of pregnancy in lunar months; applicable only after the sixth month of pregnancy.

McDowall reflex
a decrease in systemic blood pressure following vagotomy, due to abolishment of the afferent impulses from the atria, which normally induce vasoconstriction.

McEwen point
a point above the inner canthus of the eye which is tender in acute frontal sinusitis.

mcg
microgram.

McGill operation
(mә-gil´) suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy.

McGinn-White sign
a Q wave and late inversion of the T wave in lead III, low ST intervals and T waves in lead II, and inverted T waves in chest leads V2 and V3, the electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dilatation due to massive pulmonary embolism, plus the clinical signs of acute cor pulmonale.

MCH
mean corpuscular hemoglobin.

MCHB
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, an agency of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

MCHC
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration.

mCi
millicurie.

McKenzie exercise
(mә-ken´ze) an exercise regimen used in the treatment of low back pain and sciatica, prescribed after mechanical examination of the lumbar spine; it includes a combination of lumbar motions, such as flexion, rotation, side gliding, and extension. It is sometimes referred to as McKenzie extension exercises, but tha...

McKusick-Kaufman syndrome
(mә-ku´sik kouf´mәn) Kaufman-McKusick syndrome.

McLeod syndrome
(mә-kloud´) a syndrome seen in some individuals having the McLeod phenotype of blood, characterized by mild hemolytic anemia with acanthocytes, elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase, and sometimes muscle wasting and neurological defects. A few cases have manifested as X-linked types of chronic granulomatou...

MCMI
Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory.

McMurray sign
(mәk-mur´e) occurrence of a cartilage click on manipulation of the knee; it indicates injury to a meniscus.

McMurray test
(mәk-mur´e) as the patient lies supine with one knee fully flexed, the examiner rotates the patient's foot fully outward and the knee is slowly extended; a painful “click” indicates a tear of the medial meniscus of the knee joint; if the click occurs when the foot is rotated inward, the tear is i...

McNemar test
a modified chi-squared test performed on data with one degree of freedom to compare findings in a matched analysis or in a before and after study on the same individual.

MCV
mean corpuscular volume.

McVay operation
(mәk-va´) McVay repair an operative technique used for repair of an inguinal hernia. Called also Cooper ligament operation or repair.