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Glossary

Showing 801-810 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Musculoskeletal

    (MUS-kyoo-loh-SKEH-leh-tul)

    Having to do with muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage.

  • Mutate

    (MYOO-tayt)

    To change the genetic material of a cell. The changes (mutations) can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect.

  • Mutation

    myoo-TAY-shun

    Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect. If they occur in cells that make eggs or sperm, they can be inherited; if mutations occur in other types of cells, they are not inherited. Certain mutations may lead to cancer or other diseases.

  • Mutations

    myoo-TAY-shun

    Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect. If they occur in cells that make eggs or sperm, they can be inherited; if mutations occur in other types of cells, they are not inherited. Certain mutations may lead to cancer or other diseases.

  • Myelin

    (MY-eh-lin)

    The fatty substance that covers and protects nerves.

  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome

    (MY-eh-loh-dis-PLAS-tik SIN-drome)

    A type of cancer in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) and there are abnormal cells in the blood and/or bone marrow. When there are fewer healthy blood cells, infection, anemia, or bleeding may occur. Sometimes, myelodysplastic syndrome becomes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Also called MDS.

  • Myelosuppression

    (MY-eh-loh-suh-PREH-shun)

    A condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Myelosuppression is a side effect of some cancer treatments. When myelosuppression is severe, it is called myeloablation.

  • NG tube

    (... toob)

    A tube that is inserted through the nose, down the throat and esophagus, and into the stomach. It can be used to give drugs, liquids, and liquid food, or used to remove substances from the stomach. Giving food through a nasogastric tube is a type of enteral nutrition. Also called nasogastric tube and gastric feeding tube.

  • NPO

    A Latin abbreviation for "nothing by mouth."

  • NSAID

    A drug that decreases fever, swelling, pain, and redness. Also called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.