Dictionary

malrotated ear See ear, slanted.

malrotation of the intestine Failure of the intestine to rotate normally during the development of the embryo. One of the dangers of malrotation of the intestine is that the intestine may be obstructed by abnormal bands or twist on its own blood supply, a condition called volvulus. Malrotation of the intestine is usually not apparent…

MALT lymphoma A low grade type of malignancy that arises in cells in mucosal tissue which are involved in antibody production. These lymphomas occur most often in the stomach but can also arise in the lung, thyroid, salivary glands, eye, skin, or soft tissues. MALT stands for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. MALT lymphomas are typically slow…

mammary gland One of the two halfmoon–shaped glands on either side of the adult female chest, which with fatty tissue and the nipple make up the breast. Within each mammary gland is a network of sacs that produce milk during lactation and send the milk to the nipple via a system of ducts. Undeveloped mammary…

mammogram An X-ray of the breast that is taken with a device that compresses and flattens the breast. A mammogram can help a health professional decide whether a lump in the breast is a gland, a harmless cyst, or a tumor. A mammogram can cause pressure, discomfort, and some soreness that lasts for a little…

managed care Any system that manages health care delivery to control costs. Typically, managed care systems rely on a primary care physician who acts as a gatekeeper for other services, such as specialized medical care, surgery, and physical therapy.

mandible The bone of the lower jaw. The joint where the mandible meets the upper jaw at the temporal bone is called the temporomandibular joint.

mad cow disease A nickname for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by a transmissible agent. The most widely accepted theory is that the agent is a modified form of a normal cell surface component known as a prion. Evidence indicates that BSE has been transmitted to…

magnesium A mineral that is involved in many processes in the body, including nerve signaling, the building of healthy bones, and normal muscle contraction. All unprocessed foods contain magnesium. High concentrations of magnesium are found in nuts, unmilled grains, and legumes, such as peas and beans. See also deficiency, magnesium; magnesium excess.

magnesium deficiency See deficiency, magnesium.

magnesium excess Too much magnesium in the body. Persons with impaired kidney function should be especially careful about their magnesium intake because they can accumulate dangerous levels of magnesium. Also known as hypermagnesemia. See also magnesium.

magnetic resonance imaging A procedure that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to create pictures of areas inside the body. Abbreviated MRI. An MRI is painless and has the advantage of avoiding x-ray radiation exposure. There are no known risks of an MRI. The benefits of an MRI relate to its precise accuracy in…