Medical Glossary

Terms starting with M

Breast carcinomaMammakarzinom: Mammary carcinoma is the medical term for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women. If detected early, the prospects for treatment are good.
Cystic fibrosisMukoviszidose: Cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) is a congenital, autosomal recessively inherited disorder affecting several organ systems, caused by alterations in the CFTR gene. As a result, secretions in the airways, pancreas, and intestine, among others, become unusually thick and sticky.
DiseaseMorbus: «Morbus» is the Latin word for disease and is placed before many disease names, for example Morbus Crohn (Crohn's disease) or Morbus Parkinson (Parkinson's disease). It simply means «disease of».
Gastric ulcerMagengeschwür: A gastric ulcer is a deep defect of the mucous membrane in the stomach wall. It often causes upper abdominal pain and can be promoted by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or certain painkillers.
GastritisMagenschleimhautentzündung: Gastritis is an irritation or inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach. It can cause upper abdominal pain, nausea and a feeling of fullness, and may run an acute or chronic course.
GastroscopyMagenspiegelung: A gastroscopy is an examination in which a flexible tube with a camera is guided through the oesophagus into the stomach. This allows the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum to be assessed directly.
MaculaMakula: The macula is the area of sharpest vision in the centre of the retina, also called the «yellow spot». Conditions such as macular degeneration impair central vision.
Macular degenerationMakuladegeneration: Macular degeneration is a disease of the central retina that occurs mainly in older age. It leads to a progressive loss of sharp, central vision, while peripheral vision is usually preserved.
Malabsorption: Malabsorption is an impaired uptake of nutrients from the intestine. It can lead to deficiency symptoms, weight loss and diarrhoea and may have various causes.
MalariaMalaria: Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes that occurs mainly in tropical regions. It causes recurring bouts of fever and can take a severe course without treatment.
MalignancyMalignom: A malignoma is a malignant tumour, that is, a cancerous growth. Such growths grow uncontrollably and can invade neighbouring tissue or form metastases.
malignantmaligne: «Malignant» means cancerous. A malignant tumour grows destructively into surrounding tissue and can form secondary deposits (metastases); the opposite is «benign» (non-cancerous).
MammaMamma: «Mamma» is the medical technical term for the female breast. The term appears in many compound words such as mammography or mammary carcinoma.
MammographyMammografie: Mammography is an X-ray examination of the female breast. It serves above all for the early detection of breast cancer by making small calcifications and lumps visible.
Mammography screeningMammografie-Screening: Mammography screening is an organised programme of routine examinations for the early detection of breast cancer in women without symptoms. In Switzerland, many cantons regularly invite women from a certain age onwards to take part.
ManiaManie: Mania is a phase of abnormally elevated or irritable mood with excessive drive and a reduced need for sleep. It occurs above all in bipolar disorder.
manifest: «Manifest» means clearly visible or pronounced with symptoms. In contrast to the latent form, a manifest disease shows recognisable symptoms.
MarkerMarker: A marker is a measurable characteristic that indicates a condition or a disease. Tumour markers, for example, are substances in the blood whose values can be altered in certain cancers.
MastectomyMastektomie: A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast (mammary gland). It is performed above all in cases of breast cancer when breast-conserving treatment is not possible.
MastitisMastitis: Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast (mammary gland), frequently occurring during breastfeeding. The breast is reddened, swollen, painful and warm to the touch, often accompanied by fever.
medial: «Medial» is an anatomical term of location and means «situated towards the middle of the body». The opposite is «lateral» (towards the side).
MediastinumMediastinum: The mediastinum is the space in the middle of the chest between the two lungs. Among other structures, it contains the heart, the great vessels, the windpipe and the oesophagus.
Medication historyMedikamentenanamnese: A medication history is the recording of all medicines a person is taking. It helps to avoid interactions and to plan treatment safely.
MelanomaMelanom: Melanoma is a malignant form of skin cancer that arises from the pigment-forming cells; it is often called «black skin cancer». It can form metastases at an early stage, which is why moles should be monitored.
MelatoninMelatonin: Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body that regulates the sleep-wake rhythm. It is produced in greater amounts in darkness and promotes falling asleep.
MelenaMeläna: Melaena refers to black, tarry stool caused by digested blood. It usually indicates bleeding in the upper digestive tract and should be assessed by a doctor.
Menarche: Menarche is a girl's first menstrual period. It usually occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 and marks the beginning of sexual maturity.
MeningitisMeningitis: Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Typical signs are severe headache, fever, and neck stiffness. If suspected, it is always an emergency — the bacterial form is life-threatening.
MeniscusMeniskus: The meniscus is a crescent-shaped disc of cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone and the lower leg. It can tear as a result of twisting or wear and tear.
MenopauseMenopause: Menopause is the last menstrual period in a woman's life and marks the end of the fertile years. It usually occurs around the age of 50 and is part of the climacteric.
MenorrhagiaMenorrhagie: Menorrhagia refers to an unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual bleed. It can have various causes and may sometimes lead to anaemia.
MenstruationMenstruation: Menstruation is the regular, monthly bleeding from the uterus as part of the female cycle. It occurs when no pregnancy has been established.
Metabolic syndromeMetabolisches Syndrom: The metabolic syndrome refers to the combined occurrence of excess weight, raised blood pressure, disturbed sugar metabolism and unfavourable blood lipid levels. This combination markedly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
MetabolismMetabolismus: Metabolism refers to all the chemical processes in the body used to obtain energy and to build up and break down substances.
MetaboliteMetabolit: A metabolite is an intermediate or end product of metabolism. Such substances are produced when nutrients or medicines are broken down, and some of them can be measured in the laboratory.
MetastasisMetastase: A metastasis is a secondary tumour that develops when cancer cells detach from the original tumour and settle elsewhere in the body. They are also referred to as secondary deposits.
MicrobiomeMikrobiom: The microbiome is the entirety of the microorganisms that naturally colonise the body, above all in the intestine. They play an important role in digestion and for the immune system.
MicturitionMiktion: Micturition is the medical term for passing water, that is, emptying the urinary bladder. Problems with this can indicate diseases of the bladder or the prostate.
MigraineMigräne: Migraine is a headache disorder that occurs in attacks and is often one-sided and throbbing. It is frequently accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and noise, sometimes with warning signs (aura).
minimally invasiveminimalinvasiv: «Minimally invasive» describes gentle surgical techniques using the smallest possible incisions, for example with a camera and fine instruments. The advantages are usually less pain and a faster recovery.
MitosisMitose: Mitosis is the division of a cell into two identical daughter cells. This process is the basis for growth and for the renewal of tissue.
MobilizationMobilisation: Mobilisation covers the measures used to get patients moving again after an illness or an operation. Getting up and moving about early on helps to prevent complications such as thrombosis.
MonocytesMonozyten: Monocytes are the largest white blood cells and part of the immune system. They migrate into the tissues, where they remove pathogens and dead cells.
MorbidityMorbidität: Morbidity describes how frequently a disease occurs in a particular population group. It is an important indicator in health statistics.
MortalityMortalität: Mortality is the death rate, that is, the number of deaths in a population over a given period of time. It is often used to assess the severity of diseases.
MotilityMotilität: Motility describes the ability of organs or cells to move on their own, for example the movements of the intestine that transport food onwards, or the mobility of sperm.
Motor functionMotorik: Motor function comprises all the body's movement sequences, which are controlled by nerves and muscles. A distinction is made between gross motor skills and fine movement control (fine motor skills).
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that works with magnetic fields and radio waves and does not use X-rays. It provides detailed cross-sectional images, particularly of soft tissues such as the brain, joints and internal organs.
MucosaMukosa: The mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines internal hollow organs such as the mouth, stomach, intestine and airways. It protects the underlying tissue and produces mucus.
Multiple sclerosisMultiple Sklerose: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system attacks the protective sheaths around the nerves. Depending on the area affected, it causes problems with vision, sensation or movement, which may occur in episodes known as relapses.
Muscle atrophyMuskelatrophie: Muscle atrophy is the wasting away of muscle tissue, causing muscles to shrink and lose strength. Possible causes include prolonged immobilisation, nerve damage or certain diseases.
MutationMutation: A mutation is a permanent change in the genetic material. It may have no consequences at all, but it can also cause diseases or influence the risk of certain illnesses such as cancer.
MyalgiaMyalgie: Myalgia is muscle pain. It can occur with overexertion, with infections such as influenza, or as a side effect of certain medicines.
MydriasisMydriasis: Mydriasis is a widening of the pupil. It can occur naturally in darkness, be brought about by eye drops, or be a sign of certain diseases.
MyelinMyelin: Myelin is the fatty protective sheath around many nerve fibres, which speeds up the transmission of nerve signals. If it is damaged, for example in multiple sclerosis, nerve functions are disturbed.
Myocardial infarctionMyokardinfarkt: A myocardial infarction is a heart attack. An area of the heart muscle no longer receives blood because a coronary artery is blocked, and the tissue begins to die; this is a medical emergency.
MyocarditisMyokarditis: Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, often triggered by viruses. It may present with fatigue, irregular heartbeats or shortness of breath and should be assessed by a doctor.
MyocardiumMyokard: The myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart, which pumps blood through the body by contracting. Diseases of this tissue impair the pumping capacity of the heart.
MyomaMyom: A myoma is a benign growth made of muscle tissue, most commonly in the wall of the uterus. Many myomas cause no symptoms, but they can lead to heavy bleeding or a feeling of pressure.
MyopiaMyopie: Myopia is short-sightedness (nearsightedness). Those affected see nearby objects clearly but more distant ones blurred, because the image is formed in front of the retina.
MyositisMyositis: Myositis is an inflammation of the skeletal muscles. It leads to muscle pain and muscle weakness and can be triggered by infections or autoimmune processes.
Nasogastric tubeMagensonde: A gastric tube is a thin tube passed through the nose or mouth into the stomach. It is used to relieve the stomach, drain fluid or make feeding possible.
Oral thrushMundsoor: Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the lining of the mouth, usually caused by the yeast Candida. Typical signs are white coatings that can be wiped away; it often affects infants or people with a weakened immune system.
Otitis mediaMittelohrentzündung: A middle ear infection is an often painful inflammation of the middle ear, which is particularly common in children. It manifests itself with earache, fever and sometimes reduced hearing.
SpleenMilz: The spleen is an organ in the upper left abdomen that breaks down old blood cells and is part of the immune system. It also stores white blood cells and platelets.
StomachMagen: The stomach is a muscular hollow organ in the upper abdomen that collects food and pre-digests it with gastric acid. From there, the food pulp passes into the small intestine in portions.
TonsillitisMandelentzündung: Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation of the palatine tonsils, usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Typical signs are a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and fever.
TonsilsMandeln: The tonsils are accumulations of immune tissue in the throat area, medically called tonsils. They are part of the immune system and can become inflamed during infections.