Glossary
- MEDULLA OBLONGATA
- The lower portion of the brain stem.
- MEDULLOBLASTOMA
- Tumor composed of medulloblasts which are cells which develop in the roof of the fourth ventricle (medullary velum).
- MENINGES
- The three membranes covering the spinal cord and brain termed dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater.
- MENINGIOMA
- A firm, often vascular, tumor arising from the coverings of the brain. Does not recur if totally removed.
- MENINGISMUS
- Apparent irritation of brain or spinal cord in which symptoms simulate meningitis but in which no actual inflammation of the membranes is present; meningism.
- MENINGITIS
- An infection or inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
- MENINGOCELE
- A protrusion of the coverings of the spinal cord or brain through a defect in the skull or vertebral column. May be congenital or acquired.
- MENINGOENCEPHALITIS
- An inflammation or infection of the brain and spinal cord and their membranes.
- MENINGOENCEPHALOCELE
- A protrusion of both the meninges and brain tissue through a skull defect
- MENINGOMYELITIS
- Inflammation of spinal cord, its enveloping arachnoid and pia mater, and sometimes the dura mater..
- MESENCEPHALIC
- Relating to that part of the brain stem known as the mesencephalon.
- MEYER
- For C-1 to C-2 instability, posterior fusion using vertical strut grafts and wires.
- MINIMAL ACCESS DISCECTOMY
- an operation performed on the upper spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots.
- MINIMALLY INVASIVE LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY/DISCECTOMY
- an operation performed on the lower spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. The term is derived from the words lumbar (low back), and discectomy (remove a portion of the intervertebral disc).
- MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
- Surgery requiring small incision(s), usually performed with endoscopic visualization.
- MODIFIED FRANKEL CLASSIFICATION
- Scale for spinal cord damage due to any cause.
- MORBIDITY
- the frequency of the appearance of complications following a surgical procedure or the other treatment.
- MRA
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography. A non-invasive study which is conducted in a Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI). The magnetic images are assembled by a computer to provide an image of the arteries in the head and neck. No contrast material is needed, but some patients may experience claustrophobia in the imager.
- MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Scanning technique for views of the brain or spinal cord. No radiation is involved, but rather pulsed magnetic waves are used to delineate the structures within the brain.
- MUSCULATURE
- The arrangement of the muscles in a part or in the body as a whole.
- MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
- injuries affecting the muscles.
- MYALGIA
- Muscular pain.
- MYELALGIA
- Pain in the spinal cord.
- MYELANALOSIS
- Wasting of spinal marrow, tabes dorsalis.
- MYELAPOPLEXY
- Loss of nerve strength caused by some disorder of the spinal cord.
- MYELASTHENIA
- Loss of nerve strength caused by some disorder of the spinal cord.
- MYELATELIA
- Imperfect development of the spinal cord.
- MYELATROPHY
- Atrophy (wasting away) of spinal cord because of lack of nutrition, causing it to diminish in size.
- MYELAUXE
- Abnormal increase in size of spinal cord.
- MYELETEROSIS
- Abnormal alteration of the spinal cord.
