Glossary Terms

Malignant

A term used to describe a cancerous tumour. It can invade surrounding tissue and spread into other parts of the body.

Mammogram

A special x-ray of the breast; useful for detecting tumours too small to be felt. Women aged 50 – 64 are routinely invited to have a mammogram every 3 years by the NHS.

Management plan

A plan that outlines the care that the patient should receive.

Manifesting carrier

A female carrier of an x-linked condition who exhibits symptoms of the condition.

Mastectomy

The surgical removal of all or part of a breast.

Melanoma

Malignant cancers of the skin, spreading from a mole or mole-like area

Membrane

The thin layer between the inside and the outside of a cell or between two compartments of a cell.

Mesorectal fascia

The border or edge of the mesorectum

Mesorectum

A small parcel of fat around the rectum.

Metabolism

Physical and chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life.

Metastases

Where the cancer cells break away and spread to other organs within the body which can trigger new cancerous tumours.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another, usually through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

Molecular

Refers to the basic building blocks of the genetic material, like DNA, genes and the other chemicals involved with the functioning of genes.

Molecular techniques

Refers to the treatment of injury or disease at the molecular level.

Molecule

A very small amount of matter. A chemical combination of two or more atoms.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan

Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetism to build up a picture of the inside of the body instead of X-rays. The information from the scan is translated into a computer image and onto film to be studied by a specialist. It is often used for: Diagnosing tumours of the pituitary gland and brain. Evaluating bone tumours.

Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT)

Combination of clinical health professionals for example physicians, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals.

Multi-disciplinary team meeting (MDM)

Meeting of different health care disciplines (whether in person or via video/tele conferencing) to discuss patients diagnosis, treatment and care.

Muscle

An organ which produces movement by contraction.

Muscle cell

The basic unit of muscle fibre

Muscle fibre

Formed by the fusion of a group of muscle cells.

Muscular Dystrophy

The muscular dystrophies are a group of over 20 hereditary muscle disorders in which slow, progressive muscle wasting occurs, leading to increasing weakness and disability.

Mutation

Alteration of a gene which can be passed down through generations.

Myopathy

Muscle weakness.

Myoprotein

A protein obtained from muscle tissue.

Myositis

Inflammation of a muscle

Myotonia

Muscular condition resulting in muscles contracting and becoming slow to relax.