Medical Dictionary
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An alphabetical listing of General terms and items. |
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The larger of two types of conidia produced in the same manner by the same fungus.
A large scavenger white blood cell that ingests and processes foreign invaders and cellular debris. Specialized macrophages protect the skin, lungs (alveolar macrophages), brain (microglia), liver (Kupffer cells), and other tissues.
Adjective, Greek makros = large, and skopein = to examine; hence, large enough to be seen with the naked eye, e.g., pertaining to gross anatomy.
Latin = spot (cf. immaculate - spotless); adjective - macular.
Latin = great.
A sensitive, non-invasive method for viewing soft tissues of the body using a magnetic field.
Therapy that follows successful initial treatment of an illness; generally maintenance therapy continues for a long period of time (possibly for life) to prevent disease recurrence. Contrast with induction therapy.
A group of genes that controls the expression of cell surface protein markers (also known as human leukocyte antigen, or HLA, markers) that allow immune cells to recognize the body's own cells (that is, to distinguish "self" from "non-self").
A generalized feeling of illness and discomfort; a flu-like feeling.
A cancer, neoplasm, or tumor that grows in an uncontrolled manner, and may invade nearby tissue and metastasize, or spread, to other areas of the body.
A condition that is severe, harmful, or resistant to treatment. Contrast with benign.
A dangerous type of hypertension marked by an unusually sudden rise in blood pressure to very high levels, often accompanied by headache, blurred vision, and seizures (see Hypertension).
A form of lymphedema caused by mechanically impaired lymph flow in the lymphatics and/or lymph nodes due to malignant tumor growth.
Diminutive of Latin malleus = hammer, adjective - malleolar.
Latin = a hammer.
Lack of the minimum amount of nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, etc.) necessary for good health. Malnutrition may result from poor diet, lack of appetite, or inadequate absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract.
Latin = breast; adjective - mammary.
Diminutive of mamma; adjective - mammillary.
Latin mandere = to chew; hence, the movable lower jaw; adjective - mandibular.
A treatment technique using a series of rhythmic, light strokes to reduce swelling and improve the return of lymph to the circulatory system; MLD.
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Latin = handle; adjective - manubrial.
Latin = hand (cf. manual).
The edge or border of a surface; adjective - marginal.
Greek = chewer; adjective - masseteric.
A type of large cell abundant in the mucosa, skin, the lining of the gut, and the airways. Mast cells play a key role in allergic reactions by releasing histamine, leukotrienes, and other inflammatory mediators (see Allergies).
Latin masticere = to chew.
Adjective, Greek mastos = breast or teat, and eidos = shape or form.
Latin = a female animal used for breading, womb; refers to ground substance of connective tissue, and nail bed.
Latin = jaw-bone; now used only for the upper jaw; adjective - maxillary.
See histamine dihydrochloride.
A statistical measurement of the central tendency, or average, of a set of values. For example, in the series of values "1, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 8, 10, 21," the mean is 7 (determined by adding up all the values and dividing by the number of values). Contrast with median.
Latin = passage; adjective - meatal.
On the inside (as opposed to lateral); not to be confused with the median nerve which is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome.
The number within a series that is preceded and followed by an equal number of values. For example, in the series of values "1, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 8, 10, 21," the median is 6 (there are four values lower and four values higher). Contrast with mean.
Derivation doubtful, but possibly from Latin medius = middle, and stans = standing; hence, a median vertical partition, adjective - mediastinal.
In the United States, a program that is funded by federal and state governments that pays for medical care for those who can’t afford it.
In the United States, a program that pays for certain health care expenses for people 65 and older.
A technique for relaxation and clearing and focusing the mind.
Latin = middle.
Latin = marrow; applied to part of an organ deep to its cortex, and to the spinal cord and adjoining part of brain stem, which may have been thought to be the marrow of the vertebral column, adjective - medullary pertains to the medulla of an organ or medulla oblongata.
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A large precursor blood cell that gives rise to platelets.
An acronym for Model End Stage Liver Disease. A severity score or calculation used for adults with liver disease to rank candidates for liver transplantation.
A thin sheet or layer of tissue that serves as a semi-permeable covering.
A disease of the kidneys where HCV antibodies and viral particles are deposited in the kidneys.
Plural of Greek meninx = a membrane; adjective - meningeal.
Latin menis - a small crescent.
The cessation of menstruation.
A stage of the female reproductive cycle. An ovum (egg) matures and is released every month. Hormones prepare the uterus for possible implantation. If pregnancy does not occur, the uterine lining (blood and tissue) is shed and expelled (the menstrual period).
Adjective - Latin mentum = chin; or Latin mens = mind.
Greek mesos = middle, and enkephalos = brain; adjective - mesencephalic.
Greek mesos = middle, and chymos = juice; the embryonic connective tissue of the mesoderm.
Greek mesos = middle, and enteron = intestine; hence, the peritoneal fold which tethers the centrally situated small intestine; adjective - mesenteric.
Adjective - medial, used in dental anatomy.
Greek mesos = middle, and derma = skin; the middle germ layer of the embryo.
Greek mesos = middle, and salpinx = tube; hence, the intermediate part of the broad ligament.
A piece of ribonucleic acid that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes in order to synthesize new proteins.
The processes of building the body's molecular structures from nutrients (anabolism) and breaking them down for energy (catabolism). Also, the chemical processing or breakdown of food, drugs, and toxins.
Greek meta = after, and karpus = wrist; adjective - metacarpal.
Greek meta = after, and physis = growth; hence, the end of the shaft of a bone alongside the epiphysial or growth cartilage; adjective - metaphysial.
Secondary cancers that form after cancer cells spread to other parts of the body (see Breast Cancer).
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The spread of cancer cells from the site of origin to another part of the body (see Breast Cancer).
A disease (especially cancer) that spreads from one part of the body to another.
Greek meta = after, and tarsos = ankle; hence, the bones beyond the tarsus, adjective - metatarsal.
Greek meta = beside, behind, or after, and enkephalos = brain; hence the parts of the hindbrain immediately caudal to the fore- and midbrain, namely the pons and cerebellum.
A device for delivering inhaled asthma medications. Multiple doses of medication are held within a pressurized canister. With each use, the exact "metered" dose is released in the form of a spray (see Asthma).
An oral opiate-like drug used for pain management and to treat opiate (e.g., heroin) addiction. Methadone maintenance therapy prevents withdrawal symptoms by administering small doses of the drug on a regular basis.
See s-adenosylmethionine.
A drug which is used in low doses for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, including various types of inflammatory arthritis, and in very high doses to treat certain cancers. It is sometimes abbreviated to MTX (See also slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs).
See major histocompatibility complex.
The smaller of two types of conidia produced in the same manner by the same fungus.
Latin micturare = to desire to pass urine.
The most widely used herbal remedy to treat chronic hepatitis. Silymarin is a combination of active components derived from milk thistle. Studies suggest that milk thistle can reduce hepatitis symptoms and helps prevent liver damage.
An inorganic element that promotes chemical reactions within the body and is necessary for proper cellular metabolism. Essential minerals include calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Latin = smallest.
Greek meiosis = lessening; hence, pupillary constriction; adjective - miotic.
A pregnancy that ends prematurely and is not carried to term.
A rod-shaped organelle in the cytoplasm of a cell that produces energy.
Abbreviation for Manual Lymph Drainage
Latin modus = mode; hence, a form of sensation - e.g. touch, pain, sight.
Latin a cylindrical borer with a serrated edge; hence, like a screw; the central stem of the bony cochlea.
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Adjective, Latin mola = mill.
See Mycelium.
A small unit of matter made up of atoms. A molecule is the smallest unit of a substance that retains its unique characteristics.
Antidepressant medications that act by preventing the breakdown of the monoamines serotonin and norepinephrine (see Depression).
A preparation consisting of identical antibodies active against a specific pathogen.
A large white blood cell that plays a role in immune defense. Monocytes circulate in the bloodstream; when they migrate to the tissues, they mature into macrophages.
Having a single spouse; more often used to refer to having a single sexual partner.
Use of a single drug for treatment. Monotherapy for HCV (interferon alone) is no longer considered standard treatment. Contrast with combination therapy.
Fatty acids, abundant in olive, peanut, sesame, and canola oils (see High Cholesterol).
Latin = mountain; mons pubis, the soft tissue bulge over the female pubes.
A condition affecting the eyes causing pain, inflammation, tearing and loss of sight.
Sickness; the state of being affected by disease.
Greek morphos = form, and logos = word or relation; hence, study of pattern of structure; adjective - morphological.
Death. The mortality rate is the rate of death in a given population.
The ability of the digestive tract to propel its contents (see Digestive Health).
The herb mugwort.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the burning of an herb (moxa) to generate heat and stimulate the flow of qi.
See magnetic resonance imaging.
See messenger RNA.
Abbreviation for million units.
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A moist layer of semi-permeable tissue lining the openings of the body (e.g., the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts).
Latin multus = much, and findere = to split.
Occurring at more that one site.
A statistical analysis that takes into account several different factors or variables.
A nutritional supplement that contains several different essential vitamins and minerals.
Like a wall; multicellular, with transverse and longitudinal septations.
Latin musculus, diminutive of Greek mus = mouse, the body and head of which represent the main belly of a muscle, and the tail, the tendon.
A change in the character of a gene that is perpetuated when a cell divides or a virus replicates.
Muscle pain.
The mass of hyphae making up a fungus colony.
The study of fungi.
Greek = dilatation of the pupil.
Greek myelos = marrow (= Latin medulla), and enkephalos = brain; hence the medulla oblongata. See also medulla.
A white fatty substance that forms a sheath around the axons of neurons (nerve cells) and provides the insulation necessary for the proper transmission of electrical impulses.
Inhibition of the bone marrow, resulting in decreased blood cell production.
Poisonous to or destructive of the bone marrow.
Greek mys = muscle, and enteron = intestine, hence, pertaining to the muscle of the gut.
Greek mylo = molar, and hyoeides = U-shaped.
Blockage of the arteries serving the heart, often leading to angina pectoris and/or heart attack.
Greek mys = muscle, and kardia = heart, adjective - myocardial.
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Muscle inflammation, damage, or disease.
Greek mys = muscle, and tome = a cutting or division; hence, a group of muscles innervated by a single spinal segment.
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