Dictionary

myoglobin The pigment in muscle that carries oxygen.

myofascial pain syndrome A condition that is characterized by chronic pain in the muscle tissues and is similar to fibromyalgia. Abbreviated MPS. MPS is sometimes the aftermath of injury. Pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, and therapies aimed at relaxing the muscle tissues (such as massage, chiropractic, and some forms of acupuncture) have been reported as beneficial….

myoclonus The shock-like, involunatary contraction of a muscle. See also myoclonic twitch.

myoclonic twitch A rapid, involuntary muscle contraction, particularly near the eye. Myoclonic twitches resemble and may be mistaken for tics. Like tics, they tend to occur more often when the person is under stress; unlike tics, they are not preceded by any sensation and they cannot be delayed.

myocardium The heart muscle.

myocarditis Inflammation of the heart muscle. Inflammation of heart muscle can be caused by viruses, medications, parasites, or underlying diseases. Treatment depends on the cause.

myocardial infarction See heart attack.

myeloproliferative disorder One of the malignant diseases leading to overproduction of certain bone marrow cells, including those that give rise to the red blood cells, the granulocytes, and the blood platelets. The myeloproliferative disorders include chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia, chronic neutrophilic leukemia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, and polycythemia vera.

myeloid Referring to myelocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also known as myelogenous.

myelogram An X-ray test of the spinal cord and the bones of the spine. A myelogram is used to detect impingement of the spinal cord by bone, disc, or other tissues.

myelogenous See myeloid.

myelofibrosis Spontaneous scarring (fibrosis) of the bone marrow that disrupts the normal production of blood cells, leading to severe anemia and enlargement of the spleen and liver. Myelofibrosis usually begins slowly and worsens over time. It can be associated with a variety of diseases, primarily myeloproliferative (preleukemic) disorders. Also known as agnogenic myeloid metaplasia.