Oregano Cures - Medicine and Health Glossary "M"

Welcome to the Pure-le Natural Health Glossary. A thorough and complete guide to conditions and terminology used in natural and allopathic medicine. We have compiled a list of frequently used health, natural health and allopathic terms and have defined them in clear and simple everyday language.

Term	Synonyms	Definition
M Proteins		Antibodies or parts of antibodies found in unusually large amounts in the blood or urine of multiple myeloma patients.
M1		Early stage of distant spread of a malignant tumour.
Macerate		The process of soaking a substance in liquid until it is soft.
Maceration		Softening of tissue by soaking.
Macroangiopathy		Disease of the blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) that occurs when someone has diabetes for a long time. There are two types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy and microangiopathy. In macroangiopathy, fat and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels, stick to the vessel walls, and block the flow of blood. In microangiopathy, the walls of the smaller blood vessels become so thick and weak that they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood through the body. Then the cells do not get enough blood and may be damaged.
Macrocalcifications		Coarse calcium deposits typically associated with benign breast conditions.
Macrocephaly		Pathologically increased size of brain, and therefore skull.
Macrophage		Large cells found throughout the body, particularly in the spleen, that have the ability to ingest other substances such as "old" red blood cells; also important in the immune response.
Macrosomia		Larger-than-normal birth weight (usually more than 9 ¾ pounds, or 4,500 grams).
Macrovascular disease		A disease of the large blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time. Fat and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels and stick to the vessel walls. Three kinds of macrovascular disease are coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease.
Macula		The area of the retina that allows fine details to be observed at the center of vision; also refers to any small, flat spot on the skin.
Macular degeneration		The gradual loss of vision due to deterioration of nerve tissue in the retina.
Macular edema		A swelling (edema) in the macula, an area near the center of the retina of the eye that is responsible for fine or reading vision. Macular edema is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy. See : Diabetic retinopathy; retina.
Magnesia		Another term for magnesium hydroxide.
Magnesium		A mineral that is essential for many body functions, including nerve impulse transmission, formation of bones and teeth, and muscle contraction.
Magnesium sulphate		A traditional means of stopping premature labour.
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.
Maintenance therapy		Chemotherapy that is given to leukemia patients in remission to prevent a relapse.
Malabsorption		An impaired ability of the lining of the small intestine to absorb nutrients from food.
Malaise		The vague feeling of illness or discomfort.
Malaria		A parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes that causes chills and fever; potentially fatal complications in the liver, kidneys, blood, and brain are possible.
Male factor infertility		Infertility caused by abnormalities of the semen or sperm.
Malformation		The abnormal development of an organ or tissue.
Malignant		A word used to describe a condition that is characterized by uncontrolled growth and/or that can be fatal, such as a cancerous tumor.
Malignant giant cell tumor		A type of bone tumor
Malignant hyperthermia		A reaction to certain anesthesia 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.
Malleus		The outermost of three tiny bones, connecting the eardrum to the vibration-sensitive structures of the inner ear and thereby amplifying and transmitting sound waves.
Mallory-Weiss syndrome		A condition associated with alcoholism in which the lower end of the esophagus tears, causing vomiting of blood.
Malnutrition		Deficiency of nourishment in the body due to lack of healthful food or improper digestion and distribution of nutrients.
Malpresentation		Abnormal position of the fetus during labor, making normal delivery difficult or impossible.
Mammary duct ectasia		A benign breast condition in which ducts beneath the nipple become dilated and sometimes inflamed, and which can cause pain and nipple discharge.
Mammary gland		Gland that produces milk; the breast.
Mammogram		An x-ray of the breast.
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.
Mandible		Another term for the lower jaw.
Mania		A mental disorder characterized by extreme excitement, happiness, overactivity, and agitation; usually refers to the high of the highs and lows experienced in manic-depressive disorder.
Manic depressive disorder		A mental disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including either mania, depression, or a continuing shift between the two extremes.
MAO inhibitor		See Monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant.
Marfan's syndrome		A rare genetic disorder that affects connective tissue, leading to abnormalities of joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, arteries, and/or the heart.
Marginal spurring		Irregularity of the corners of vertebral bodies, an early sign of degenerative spondylosis or wearing of the spine.
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.
Mastectomy		A surgical procedure in which all or part of the breast is removed to prevent the spread of cancer.
Masticate		To chew.
Mastitis		An inflammation of the breast, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Mastoid process		Round, honeycombed bony prominence located behind the ear.
Maturity-onset diabetes		Former term for noninsulin-dependent or type II diabetes. See : Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Maxilla		One of two bones that form the upper jaw, the roof of the mouth, and the center portion of the face.
McBurney's point		An anatomical landmark in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen over the usual site of the appendix.
mcg	microgram	Abbreviation for microgram, which is 1/1,000,000th (1/1-millionth) of a gram or 1/1,000th of a milligram.
Meal plan		A guide for controlling the amount of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats a person eats. People with diabetes can use such plans as the Exchange Lists or the Point System to help them plan their meals so that they can keep their diabetes under control.
Measles		An illness caused by a viral infection, causing a characteristic rash and a fever; primarily affects children.
Meatus		The outer opening of a passageway of the body.
Meconium		A thick, sticky, greenish-brown stool passed by a postmature fetus, or one experiencing fetal distress, into the amniotic fluid, or by an infant during the first couple of days after birth.
Media		The middle, muscular layer in the wall of an artery.
Medial		A term used to describe something situated on or near the midline of the body or a body structure.
Medial compartment		The inner of the two joint areas between the thigh-bone (femur) and shin-bone (tibia).
Medial meniscus		The cartilage lining the inner upper end of the shin-bone (tibia).
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.
Mediastinoscopy		The investigation of the central chest compartment using an endoscope that is inserted through an incision in the neck.
Mediastinotomy		A procedure in which the doctor inserts a tube into the chest to view the organs in the mediastinum. The tube is inserted through an incision next to the breastbone.
Mediastinum		The area that separates the lungs from each other. It contains the heart and its large veins and arteries, the trachea (wind-pipe), the esophagus, the thymus gland, and lymph nodes.
Medical oncologist		A doctor who specializes in using chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Medulla		The center part of an organ or body structure; sometimes used to refer to the lower part of the brain stem.
Medulla (oblongata)		Lowest part of the brain-stem, located just above the spinal cord, at the exit from the skull, and containing centers for vital functions.
Medulloblastoma		A type of brain tumor.
Medulloblastoma		A type of cancerous tumor, occurring in the section of the brain that controls posture and balance; found mainly in children.
Megacolon		A severely swollen large intestine, causing severe constipation and abdominal bloating; may be present at birth or develops later.
Megaloblastic anemia		A type of anemia 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.
Megadose		Very large dose. In terms of recommended dietary allowance (RDA), anything 10 or more times the RDA is considered megadose. Nutritionists urge no one take megadoses of ANY substance because these doses may be toxic, cause an imbalance of other nutrients, cause damage to an unborn child.
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 coloring.
Melanocytes		Body cells that produce the pigment melanin.
Melanocyte stimulating hormone		The hormone that coordinates pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair.
Melanoma		A skin tumor composed of cells called melanocytes.
Membrane		A thin layer of tissue that lines, separates or covers organs or structures.
Menarche		The beginning of menstruation.
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.
Meninges		The three membranes that surround and protect the spinal cord and brain.
Meningioma		A rare noncancerous tumor developing in the protective membranes covering the brain called the meninges; can cause headaches and problems with vision and mental function.
Meningitis		An inflammation of the meninges; usually caused by infection by a microorganism (meningitis caused by bacteria is life-threatening; viral meningitis is milder).
Meningocele		A protrusion of the meninges through an opening in the skull or spinal cord due to a genetic defect.
Meniscectomy		The surgical removal of all or part of a cartilage disk from a joint.
Meniscus		A crescent-shaped pad of cartilage in joints that helps to reduce friction.
Menopause		The period in a woman's life when menstruation stops, resulting in a reduced production of estrogen and cessation of egg production.
Menorrhagia		An excessive loss of blood during menstruation, which can be caused by disorders of the uterus.
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.
Menstruation		The shedding of the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle.
Mesenteric infarction		The death of tissue in the intestine due to lack of blood supply to that tissue.
Mesenteric lymphadenitis		An inflammation of lymph nodes in an abdominal membrane.
Mesentery		Fold in the abdominal lining that connects the intestine to the back of the abdominal wall; contains the arteries and veins that supply the intestines
Mesothelioma		A cancerous tumor occurring in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, often associated with exposure to asbestos dust.
Mesothelium		A tissue layer that lines the heart, abdomen, chest cavity, and lungs.
Mesovarium		A fold of the inner lining of the pelvis in the region of the ovary.
Messenger RNA		An RNA molecule that transports the information stored in DNA out of a cell's nucleus in order to make proteins.
Metabolic rate		The speed at which the body uses energy.
Metabolism		A general term for all of the chemical processes that occur in the body.
Metabolite		Any substance that takes part in a chemical reaction in the body.
Metamyelocyte		An intermediate stage in the development of a mature white blood cell.
Metastases		Malignant ("cancerous") deposits from cells which have spread through lymphatic channels and blood vessels to parts of the body remote from the original malignancy
Metastasis		The spreading of a cancerous tumor to another part of the body through lymph, blood, or across a cavity; also sometimes refers to a tumor that has been produced in this way.
Metastasize		To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and cause secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original tumor.
Metastatic		Spread from a primary site of disease to distant parts of the body.
Metastatic cancer		Cancer that has spread from its original site to one or more additional body sites.
Metered dose inhaler		An inhaler that gives a specific amount of medication with each use.
Methemoglobinemia		A disorder in which normal hemoglobin is changed to methemoglobin, a form that is incapable of carrying oxygen
Metrorrhagia		Uterine bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle.
mg	milligram	Abbreviation for milligram, which is 1/1,000th of a gram.
Mg/dL		Milligrams per deciliter.
Microaneurysm		A small swelling that forms on the side of tiny blood vessels. These small swellings may break and bleed into nearby tissue. People with diabetes sometimes get microaneurysms in the retina of the eye.
Microangiopathy		Disease of the blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) that occurs when someone has diabetes for a long time. There are two types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy and microangiopathy. In macroangiopathy, fat and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels, stick to the vessel walls, and block the flow of blood. In microangiopathy, the walls of the smaller blood vessels become so thick and weak that they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood through the body. Then the cells do not get enough blood and may be damaged.
Microbe		Another term for a microorganism.
Microbiology		The study of microorganisms.
Microcalcification		A small deposit of calcium in the breast, which can show up on a mammogram. Certain patterns of microcalcifications are sometimes a sign of breast cancer.
Microcephaly		An abnormally small head.
Microdiskectomy		The surgical removal of the protruding part of a prolapsed disk.
Micrognathia		Abnormally small (lower) jaw.
Microorganism		Any tiny, single-celled organism (such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus).
Microsurgery		A surgical technique that uses a special binocular microscope to operate on tiny, delicate, or hard-to-reach tissues.
Microvascular disease		Disease of the smallest blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time. The walls of the vessels become abnormally thick but weak, and therefore they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood through the body. Then some cells, for example the ones in the center of the eye, may not get enough blood and may be damaged.
Micturition syncope		Fainting or feeling weak while standing at the toilet; caused by an abnormal heartbeat or a drop in blood pressure.
Midbrain		The uppermost of the three segments of the brainstem, primarily serving as an intermediary between the rest of the brain and the spinal cord.
Middle cerebral artery		One of three sets of paired arteries supplying oxygen-rich blood to the cerebral hemispheres and originating from the Circle Of Willis near the termination of the internal carotid artery.
Middle ear		The small cavity between the eardrum and inner ear; contains three tiny, linked bones that transmit sound to the inner ear.
Middle ear effusion		The buildup of fluid in the middle ear, which can affect hearing.
Midtrimester		The middle three months of pregnancy.
Midwifery		A profession concerned with providing care to a mother and baby during pregnancy and childbirth.
Migraine		A severe headache, usually accompanied by vision problems and/or nausea and vomiting, and that typically recurs.
Milia		Pinpoint-sized white spots on a newborn's nose and cheeks. They eventually disappear and need no treatment.
Milk sickness	Lactose intolerance	Intolerance to milk and milk products due to a deficiency of an enzyme called lactase.
Mineral		A substance that is a necessary part of a healthy diet (such as potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium).
Minipill		An oral contraceptive containing only the synthetic hormone progesterone (birth control pills contain estrogen and progesterone).
Miosis		Constriction of the pupil.
Miotic		A substance that causes the pupil to constrict.
Miscarriage		The expulsion of a fetus before it has developed sufficiently to survive on its own.
Mites		Small eight-legged animals, many of which burrow and feed on blood.
Mitogen		Causes nucleus of cell to divide leading to a new cell.
Mitosis		The process by which most cells divide in order to reproduce.
Mitral insufficiency		A problem with the ability of the mitral valve in the heart to close, which causes the heart to pump harder and reduces its efficiency.
Mitral regurgitation		Backflow of oxygen-rich blood from the larger and more muscular left ventricle back into the smaller left atrium of the heart (and thus to the lungs) because of malfunctioning of the mitral valve due to pathological distortion of one or more of its components.
Mitral stenosis		A condition in which the mitral valve in the heart becomes narrowed, making the heart work harder to pump blood; can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath.
Mitral valve		The valve in the heart that allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, but prevents blood from flowing back in.
Mitral valve prolapse		A common condition in which the mitral valve in the heart is deformed, causing blood to leak back across the valve; characterized by a heart murmur and sometimes chest pain and disturbed heart rhythm.
Mixed dose		Combining two kinds of insulin in one injection. A mixed dose commonly combines regular insulin, which is fast acting, with a longer acting insulin such as NPH. A mixed dose insulin schedule may be prescribed to provide both short-term and long-term coverage.
mm Hg	Millimeters of Mercury	Millimeters of mercury; unit used for measuring blood pressure.
Modified radical mastectomy		A treatment for breast cancer in which the entire breast, a section of the chest muscle, and lymph nodes in the chest and underarm are removed.
Molar tooth	Molar	Large, strong teeth at the back of the jaw, primarily used to grind food.
Molding		The temporary shaping of the bones of the baby's skull while passing through the birth canal.
Mole		1. A pigmented spot on the skin (nevus). 2. A mass within the uterus (womb) formed by partly developed products of conception.
Molecule		The smallest unit of a substance that possesses its characteristics.
Molluscum contagiosum		A viral infection that causes white bumps on the skin; usually clears up in a few months.
Mongolian spot		A brown to blue-black spot on the lower back and buttocks at birth, caused by a concentration of pigment-producing cells; usually disappears by the age of 3 or 4 years.
mono-		Prefix meaning one.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant	MAO inhibitor, antidepressant	A substance that works by stopping an enzyme that breaks down stimulating chemicals in the brain; used to treat depression.
Monoclonal antibodies		An antibody that is produced in the laboratory so that it will react with only one specific foreign protein; used to help diagnose certain kinds of cancer.
Mononeuropathy		A form of diabetic neuropathy affecting a single nerve. The eye is a common site for this form of nerve damage.
Mononucleosis		An infection caused by a virus that invades a type of white blood cell called a monocyte, causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
Monounsaturated fat		A type of fat that is thought to be beneficial in the prevention of coronary heart disease; found in foods such as olive oil and peanut oil.
Monozygotic twins	MZ twins, Identicle twins	Twins arising from a single fertilized egg.
Morbidity		The state of being ill or having a disease.
Morbidity rate		The sickness rate; the number of people who are sick or have a disease compared with the number who are well.
Morning sickness		The nausea and vomiting experienced early in a pregnancy, affecting about half of all pregnant women.
Morphology (of blood cells)		Microscopic characteristics.
Mortality		The death rate, measured as the number of deaths per a certain population; may describe the population as a whole, or a specific group within a population (such as infant mortality).
Mortality rate	Death rate	The number of people who die of a certain disease compared with the total number of people. Mortality is most often stated as deaths per 1,000, per 10,000, or per 100,000 persons..
Motility		Ability to move.
Motor		Pertaining to movement.
Motor development		The increasing ability to use muscles.
Motor nerve		A nerve that carries messages to a muscle that cause the muscle to contract.
Motor neuron disease		A degeneration of the nerves in the spinal cord and brain that are responsible for muscle movement, causing weakness and muscle deterioration .
Mouth to mouth resuscitation		A method of artificial breathing in which someone rhythmically forces air into the lungs of a person who has stopped breathing.
MRI		See Magnetic resonance imaging.
MS		See Multiple sclerosis.
Mucilage		Gelatinous substance that contains proteins and polysaccharides.
Mucocele		A sac or body cavity that is swollen because of the production of mucus by the cells in its lining.
Mucolytic		A substance that lessens the sticky quality of phlegm and makes it easier to cough up.
Mucosa		Membrane consisting of mucus-producing cells, typically found lining the body orifices, stomach and bowel.
Mucous membrane		The soft, pink layer of cells that produce mucus in order to keep body structures lubricated; found in structures such as the eyelids, respiratory tract, and urinary tract.
Mucus		A slippery fluid produced by mucous membranes that lubricates and protects the internal surfaces of the body.
Multi-infarct dementia		Dementia caused by multiple strokes.
Multiloculated		Having many compartments.
Multimodality therapy		The combined use of more than one method of treatment, for example, surgery and chemotherapy.
Multipara		A woman who has given birth to more than one baby.
Multiple-gated acquisition scan		A technique for evaluating heart efficiency by measuring blood flow into and out of the heart.
Multiple gestation		More than one fetus developing in the uterus.
Multiple myeloma		A cancer that causes uncontrolled production of white blood cells in the bone marrow.
Multiple polyposis	Familial polyposis	A disease characterized by numerous polyps in the colon and rectum.
Multiple pregnancy		The presence of more than one fetus in the uterus, such as occurs with twins.
Multiple sclerosis		A disease in which the protective coverings (myelin) of nerve fibers in the brain are gradually destroyed; symptoms vary from numbness to paralysis and loss of control of bodily function.
Mumps		A viral infection that causes inflammation of salivary glands; primarily affects children.
Murmur		A characteristic sound (heard through a stethoscope) of blood flowing irregularly through the heart; can be harmless or may be an indication of disease.
Muscle fibers		Specialized, contracting cells that are bundled together to form muscles.
Muscle relaxants		A group of substances used to relieve muscle spasm and to treat conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and nervous system disorders such as stroke and cerebral palsy.
Muscle tone		The natural tension in resting muscles.
Muscle wasting		The degeneration of a muscle (loss of bulk), caused by disease or starvation.
Muscles		Bundles of specialized cells that can contract and relax to create movement for the body itself and the organs within it.
Muscular dystrophy		A rare genetic disorder in which muscles degenerate gradually and strength is lost.
Musculoskeletal		Pertaining to the muscles and the skeleton.
Musophobia		A fear of mice.
Mutagen		Anything that can increase the rate of abnormal change in cells, which can lead to cancer.
Mutation		A change in the genetic information within a cell.
Myalgia	Muscle pain	The medical term for muscle pain.
Myasthenia gravis		A disease in which the muscles, mainly those in the face, eyes, throat, and limbs, become weak and tire quickly; caused by the body's immune system attacking the receptors in the muscles that pick up nerve impulses.
Mycobacterium		A type of slow-growing bacterium; resistant to the body's defense mechanisms and are responsible for diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
Mycoplasma		The smallest free-living microorganisms.
Mycosis		Any disease caused by a fungus.
Mycosis fungoides	Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma	A type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that first appears on the skin.
Mydriatic		A drug that causes the pupil to dilate (widen).
Myelin		White, fat-like substance that forms a sheath around some nerves.
Myelin sheath		The fat- and protein-containing material that surrounds and protects some nerves.
Myelitis		The inflammation of the spinal cord, which can cause headaches, fever, muscle stiffness, pain, weakness, and eventually paralysis.
Myelocele		A protrusion of the spinal cord and its coverings out from the spine; one of the more severe forms of spina bifida.
Myelodysplastic disorders		Disturbances of the cells that form a type of white blood cell.
Myelodysplastic syndrome	Preleukemia, Smoldering leukemia	A condition in which the bone marrow does not function normally. It does not produce enough blood cells. This condition may progress and become acute leukemia.
Myelogenous	Myeloid	Referring to myelocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also called .
Myelogram		An x-ray of the spinal cord and the bones of the spine.
Myelography		Radiographic imaging of the spinal canal and its contained spinal cord after injection into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the cord of a dye opaque to xrays.
Myeloid	Myelogenous	Referring to myelocytes, a type of white blood cells. Also called .
Myeloma		A cancer affecting cells in the bone marrow; sometimes used as an abbreviation for multiple myeloma.
Myelosclerosis		The buildup of fibrous connective tissue in the bone marrow, affecting the production of blood components.
Myocardial infarction		The death of an area of heart muscle as a result of being deprived of its blood supply; characterized by severe pain in the chest; commonly called a heart attack.
Myocarditis		The inflammation of the heart muscle, which can be caused by a virus, certain drugs, or radiation therapy.
Myocardium		The medical term for heart muscle.
Myoectomy		The surgical removal of a noncancerous tumor from muscle.
Myo-inositol		A substance in the cell that is thought to play a role in helping the nerves to work.
Myoglobinuria		Pathological presence of oxygen-carrying pigment from muscle in the urine; the significance is that it originates from damaged muscle and may damage the kidney.
Myometrium		The muscular outer layer of the uterus.
Myopathy		A muscle disease, usually one that results in the deterioration of muscle.
Myopia		The medical term for nearsightedness.
Myositis		A muscle inflammation, causing pain and weakness.
Myringotomy		A surgical opening in the eardrum that allows for drainage.
Mysophobia		Fear of dirt, germs, or contamination.
Myxoma		A noncancerous tumor made of mucous material and fibrous connective tissue.