Malignant
This word is used to describe a disease or condition
that gets worse at time goes by, or which spreads to other parts of the
body.
Manometry
A test that shows how well nerves and muscles in the digestive system are creating pressure to push along food or waste matter.
Maxilla
The bones in the skull that form your upper jaw are called the maxilla.
Measles
This is a serious disease that affects mainly children.
It causes a rash and a high temperature and can cause inflammation of
the brain. Most children are immunised against measles now, by the MMR
jab, but children who have not been immunised are at risk. If a pregnant
woman catches measles, it can cause a miscarriage.
Melanin
The pigment that gives our skin, hair and eye colour.
The amount of melanin in your skin depends on your race and whether
you’re exposed to sunlight a lot.
Meninges
These are the layers of tissue that cover your brain and
spinal cord. If the meninges become inflamed, this is called
meningitis.
Meningitis
This is a serious illness where the meninges become
inflamed, usually because of an infection. Some types of meningitis are
very serious indeed, and need treatment very quickly.
Microscope
A powerful instrument that lets scientists examine things closely that cannot normally be seen with the naked eye.
Migraine
A serious headache, usually with sickness as well. Some
people cannot see properly when they have a migraine. A migraine can
last from a couple of hours to a couple of days. They can be treated
with painkillers and often by lying in a darkened room.
Molecule
The smallest part of a substance.
Monocyte
This is a type of white blood cell which fights infection.
Morphine
This is a medicine that is used to relieve pain.
Mouth ulcer
This is a sore patch inside your mouth. Mouth ulcers are
really painful, and are made worse if you eat or drink something acidic
like lemon squash. They can be treated using gels you can buy from your
chemist.
MRI scan
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan produces images
of what's going on inside your body. It uses very strong magnetic fields
(like a big magnet) and radio waves. An MRI scanner looks like a tunnel
that you lie inside. It takes a while but you can watch a video while
you're in there, so it's not that as bad as it sounds. You do have to
lie very still though, which can be a bind, but it doesn't hurt at all.
Mucous membrane
The lining of many parts of the body, like your nose and mouth. They let out a fluid (mucus) that keeps everything moist.
Mucus
This is a thick, slimy fluid released by the mucous membranes.
Mumps
A serous illness that mainly affects children. Most
children are immunised against mumps now, by the MMR jab, but children
who have not been immunised are at risk.
Muscles
We have lots of muscles in our body – some are very
small, others are very big. Muscles work by contracting (squeezing
tight) and relaxing to make things move.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
The name of a bacterium that can cause the respiratory disease pneumonia.
