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Glossary

Showing 801-810 out of 1196 Terms

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  • Mucous membrane

    (MYOO-kus MEM-brayn)

    The moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities (such as the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach). Glands in the mucous membrane make mucus (a thick, slippery fluid). Also called mucosa.

  • Mucus

    (MYOO-kus)

    A thick, slippery fluid made by the membranes that line certain organs of the body, including the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina.

  • Multidisciplinary

    (MUL-tee-DIH-sih-plih-NAYR-ee)

    In medicine, a term used to describe a treatment planning approach or team that includes a number of doctors and other health care professionals who are experts in different specialties (disciplines). In cancer treatment, the primary disciplines are medical oncology (treatment with drugs), surgical oncology (treatment with surgery), and radiation oncology (treatment with radiation).

  • Multidrug resistance

    (MUL-tee-... reh-ZIH-stunts)

    Adaptation of tumor cells to anticancer drugs in ways that make the drugs less effective.

  • Multigene test

    (MUL-tee-jeen ...)

    A laboratory test in which many genes are studied in a sample of tissue. Multigene tests may help find mutations (changes) in certain genes that may increase a person’s risk of a disease such as cancer. They may also look at the activity of certain genes in a sample of tissue. Multigene tests may be used to help plan treatment or make a prognosis, including helping to predict whether cancer will spread to other parts of the body or come back. Also called multiple-gene panel test and multiple-gene test.

  • 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.