Dictionary

medical examiner A physician (pathologist) who performs an autopsy when the cause of death is suspicious, including cases when death is accidental or violent. The physician may also serve in some jurisdictions as the coroner.

medical symbol See Aesculapius.

Medicare The US government’s national health insurance program for people aged 65 and older who have worked for at least 10 years in Medicarecovered employment, and who are citizens or permanent residents of the US. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, and Medicare Part B covers physician and outpatient services.

medication 1 A drug that is used to medicate, a medicine, or a medicament or medical substance. Although the terms medication and drug are sometimes used interchangeably, the term medication is not used to speak of a recreational substance. 2 The administration of a drug or medicine.

MedicineNet.com A premier online health and medical information website. MedicineNet.com provides easy-to-read, in-depth, authoritative medical information for consumers. Since 1996, MedicineNet.com has become nationally recognized for providing quality information that is produced by a network of board-certified physicians from across the US.

Medigap An insurance policy sold by private insurance companies in the US that supplements Medicare benefits, presumably filling the gaps in health care coverage.

meditation A typically self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind. Most meditative techniques have come to the West from Eastern religious practices, particularly India, China, and Japan, but can be found in many cultures of the world. Until recently, the primary purpose of meditation has been religious, although its health benefits have…

Mediterranean anemia See thalassemia major.

mastitis Inflammation of one or more mammary glands within the breast, usually in a lactating woman. Mastitis can be felt as a hard, sore spot within the breast. Mastitis can be caused by an infection in the breast or by a plugged milk duct. Treatment includes resting and applying warm compresses to the affected area,…

mastocytoma A benign nodular tumor on the skin, rich in mast cells, that is usually present at birth or in early childhood and resolves spontaneously. Also called a mast cell tumor. See also mast cell.

mastocytosis A condition characterized by infiltration of mast cells into the tissues of the body. Mast cells are connective tissue cells which release chemicals, including histamine, that cause itching, swelling, and fluid leakage from cells. There are several different clinical forms of mastocytosis. See also mast cell; mastocytoma.

mastoid The rounded protrusion of bone just behind the ear. The mastoid was once thought to look like a breast (hence its name).