Medical terms - Letter M (page 18) | MedicalVocabulary.org

MRCP

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, an application of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to the hepatobiliary and pancreatic system. An MRCP uses an MRI machine with special software to obtain images comparable…
MRD

Minimal residual disease, evidence for the presence of residual malignant cells, even when so few cancer cells are present that they cannot be found by routine means. Tests for minimal residual disease (MRD) can detect…
MRDM

Malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus. See: Tropical diabetes
MRI

Abbreviation and nickname for magnetic resonance imaging. For more information, see: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Paul C. Lauterbur; Peter Mansfield
MRI, endorectal

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) done from inside the rectum. To do such as MRI, a surface coil within an inflated latex balloon can be positioned in the rectum. The MRI is read (interpreted) and specific areas of…
MRNA

Messenger RNA, the key intermediary in gene expression, translating the DNA's genetic code into the amino acids that make up proteins
MRSA infection

MRSA infection: Frequently used abbreviation for: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
MRSI

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
MS

1. Multiple sclerosis. See also entry to: Multiple sclerosis.2. Mass spectrometry
MS/MS

Abbreviation for tandem mass spectrometry. See: Tandem mass spectrometry
MSAFP (maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein)

The presence of AFP, a plasma protein normally produced by the fetus, in the mother's blood. The MSAFP serves as the basis for some valuable tests. AFP is manufactured principally in the fetus's liver and, also, in the…
MSBP

Munchhausen syndrome by proxy
MSG

Monosodium glutamate, a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid that enhances the flavor of certain foods. Originally isolated from seaweed, MSG is now made by fermenting corn, potatoes and rice. It does not enhance…
MST

A multiple subpial transection (MST) is a procedure is used to help control seizures that begin in areas of the brain that cannot be safely removed. The surgeon makes a series of shallow cuts (transections) in the brain…
MSTN

The gene for myostatin
MSUD

Abbreviation for maple syrup urine disease
MtDNA

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the DNA of the mitochondrion, a structure situated in the cytoplasm of the cell rather than in the nucleus (where all the other chromosomes are located). All mtDNA is inherited from the…
MTX

Abbreviation for methotrexate
Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome

A syndrome of unknown origin that mainly affects young children. It causes fever, reddening of the eyes (conjunctivitis) and lips and mucous membranes of the mouth, ulcerative gum disease (gingivitis), swollen glands in…
Mucolipidosis

One of a group of inherited storage diseases in which both lipids and substances called mucopolysaccharides accumulate in the tissues of the body. Four mucolipidosis have been identified: > >Mucolipidosis I: due to…
Mucolipidosis I

A type of mucolipidosis (see below) characterized by deficiency of the enzyme neuraminidase (sialidase). There are two forms of the disease. One form is characterized by cherry red spots in the eyes, gradual loss of…
Mucolipidosis III

A type of mucolipidosis characterized by deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase and features of Hurler syndrome but much slower progression. Also known as pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy. The…
Mucolipidosis IV

A type of mucolipidosis due to mutation in the gene encoding mucolipin-1. Most patients have developmental delay and mental retardation, clouding of the cornea of the eye, and severe visual impairment. The mucolipidoses…
Mucopolysaccharidosis

One of a series of inherited metabolic disorders affecting a type of complex carbohydrate called a mucopolysaccharide that is deposited in body tissues because the person lacks the specific enzyme needed to metabolize…
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I

Hurler syndrome, Scheie syndrome, and Hurler-Scheie syndrome. All three of these syndromes are due to varying degrees of deficiency of the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II

Hunter syndrome, due to deficiency of the enzyme iduronate sulfatase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA

Sanfilippo syndrome due to deficiency of the enzyme heparan N-sulfatase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB

Sanfilippo syndrome due to deficiency of the enzyme alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase. See also Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIC

Sanfilippo syndrome due to deficiency of the enzyme acetyl CoA:alpha-glucosaminide acetyltransferase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIID

Morquio syndrome due to deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA

Morquio syndrome due to deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB

Morquio syndrome due to deficiency of the enzyme beta-galactosidase. See also Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI

Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, due to deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase. See also: Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII

Sly syndrome, due to deficiency of the enzyme beta-glucuronidase. See also Mucopolysaccharidosis
Mucopolysaccharidosis type VIII

DiFerrante syndrome, due to deficiency of the enzyme glucosamine-6-sulfate. See also Mucopolysaccharidosis.
Mucormycosis

Also known as zygomycosis, mucormycosis is a fungal infection (most commonly of the sinuses, brain, or lungs) by fungi found normally in the soil or in decaying vegetation. Mucormycosis can also affect the…
Mucosa

Having to do with a mucous membrane. For example, the oral mucosa.
Mucositis

Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract from the mouth on down to the anus. Mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy and of radiotherapy that involves any part of the digestive tract…
Mucous

Pertaining to mucus, a thick fluid produced by the lining of some tissues of the body. 'Mucus' without an 'o' is the Latin noun for 'a slimy semifluid discharge from the nose.' 'Mucous' with an 'o' is the corresponding…
Mucoviscidosis

An old name (but one that has prevailed in France and some other nations) for cystic fibrosis (CF), one of the most common and serious of all genetic (inherited) diseases. The CF gene is carried by 1/20 persons (in…
Mucus

A thick slippery fluid produced by the membranes lining certain organs such as the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina. Mucus is the Latin word for 'a semifluid, slimy discharge from the nose.' Note that mucus is a noun…
Mucus colitis

A common gastrointestinal disorder involving an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and…
Mucus, nasal

See: Nasal mucus
Mudslide injury

See: Landslide injury
Muir-Torre syndrome

A genetic syndrome characterized by a combination of sebaceous tumors of the skin and one or more internal malignancies, most often colon cancer. The types of sebaceous skin neoplasia include sebaceous adenoma…
Mule

In the drug trade, a person who transports a drug by internally concealing it. Also called a body packer. See: Body packer
Multi-infarct dementia

Dementia brought on by a series of strokes. See Vascular dementia
Multicellular

Consisting of more than one cell. Humans are multicellular and have been estimated to possess 100,000 billion cells. Multicellular is as opposed to unicellular
Multicentric

Having more than one center. A term often applied to tumors. A minority of Wilms tumors are multicentric and appear to represent separate tumors. A multicentric breast cancer involves two or more distinct primary…
Multidetector computed tomography

(MDCT) A form of computed tomography (CT) technology for diagnostic imaging. In MDCT, a two-dimensional array of detector elements replaces the linear array of detector elements used in typical conventional and helical…