Mammary gland
The milk gland of the breast, made up of 15 to 20 lobes embedded in fatty and connective tissue. Under hormonal influence it produces breast milk after birth.
Maple syrup urine disease
A rare inherited disorder in the breakdown of certain amino acids, with a characteristic sweet-smelling urine. It is detected by newborn screening and treated with a special diet.
Marketing authorisation (medicines)
Official permission to place a medicine on the market. In the EU it is usually granted via the European Medicines Agency (EMA); national agencies also authorise medicines.
Mastoid antrum
The largest air cell of the mastoid process, connected to the middle ear cavity. Middle ear infections spread into the mastoid through it.
Maxillary artery
One of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery, supplying deep facial regions, jaws, teeth, nasal cavity and, via the middle meningeal artery, the dura. In severe posterior nosebleeds it can be embolised.
See also: External carotid artery, Middle meningeal artery
Mechanical ventilation
Mechanical support or takeover of breathing, for example in intensive care.
See also: ARDS
Medial circumflex femoral artery
The artery that encircles the femoral neck and is the main supply of the femoral head. Its injury in femoral neck fractures explains the risk of femoral head necrosis.
See also: Deep femoral artery
Medial plantar artery
The smaller terminal branch of the posterior tibial artery, running along the inner side of the sole and supplying the big toe region.
See also: Posterior tibial artery, Lateral plantar artery
Median sacral artery
A thin, unpaired artery arising at the aortic bifurcation and running down in front of the sacrum and coccyx. It is a remnant of the embryonic tail artery.
See also: Aorta
Medical confidentiality
The duty of doctors to keep information about patients confidential.
Medical findings
The result of a medical examination, such as a laboratory test or imaging.
Medical history (anamnesis)
Taking the patient’s history in conversation: current complaints, previous illnesses, medicines, allergies, family history and living circumstances. It is the first and often most important step in any diagnosis.
Medical licence (Approbation)
State licence to practise as a doctor, dentist or pharmacist in Germany, granted after completing studies and passing the state examinations.
Medical licensing regulations (Germany)
The statutory regulation governing the course, content and examinations of medical studies in Germany.
See also: Medical licence (Approbation)
Medical malpractice
Medical treatment that does not meet the recognised professional standard and can harm the patient. In Germany, affected people can turn, for example, to the expert commissions of the medical associations or to their health insurer.
See also: Informed consent discussion
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Death of jawbone, which becomes exposed and heals poorly, as a rare side effect of antiresorptive medicines such as bisphosphonates or denosumab. Good oral hygiene and dental checks before starting treatment reduce the risk.
See also: Bisphosphonates, Denosumab
Medication safety
All measures that prevent medication errors and ensure the safe use of medicines, such as medication plans, interaction checks and clear communication.
Middle cerebral artery
The largest branch of the internal carotid artery, supplying large parts of the lateral cerebral cortex. It is most often affected in stroke, typically causing arm-dominant one-sided paralysis and speech disturbance.
See also: Carotid artery
Middle colic artery
A branch of the superior mesenteric artery that supplies the transverse colon. In colon surgery it is divided centrally depending on tumour location.
See also: Superior mesenteric artery, Transverse colon
Middle meningeal artery
The artery entering through a small opening in the skull base and running along the inside of the temporal bone. In skull fractures in this region it can tear and cause a life-threatening epidural haematoma.
See also: Dura mater
Middle rectal artery
An inconstant branch of the internal iliac artery to the middle rectum. It forms connections with the superior and inferior rectal arteries.
See also: Internal iliac artery, Superior rectal artery
Middle suprarenal artery
A direct branch of the abdominal aorta to the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland also receives blood from the superior and inferior suprarenal arteries.
See also: Aorta
Mindfulness
Conscious, non-judgemental attention to the present moment. Mindfulness-based programmes can reduce stress and rumination.
Mindfulness-based therapy
Psychotherapeutic approaches such as MBSR or MBCT that practise conscious, non-judgemental awareness of the present moment. There is good evidence particularly for preventing relapse in recurrent depression.
See also: Mindfulness, Depression
Minute ventilation
The volume of air breathed in and out per minute, calculated as tidal volume times respiratory rate. At rest it is about six to eight litres in adults and can rise sharply during exercise.
See also: Tidal volume
Mobility (flexibility)
The ability to use joints through their possible range of movement, actively or passively. It depends on joint structure, muscles, tendons and fascia and can be maintained with stretching and mobility training.
See also: Stretching
Mouth ulcers (aphthae)
Small, painful ulcers of the oral mucosa that usually heal within one to two weeks.
Musculophrenic artery
A terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery that runs along the costal margin and supplies the diaphragm and lower intercostal spaces.
See also: Internal thoracic artery
Myenteric plexus (Auerbach’s plexus)
A network of nerves between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the bowel wall that controls peristalsis. Loss of its nerve cells is found, for example, in achalasia and Hirschsprung’s disease.
See also: Achalasia
Malocclusion (dysgnathia)
Misalignment of the jaws and dental arches relative to each other, such as overbite, underbite or crossbite. It can impair chewing, speech and the jaw joints.
Mandibular canal
Bony canal in the lower jaw through which the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels run to the mental foramen. Its position must be considered before wisdom tooth removal and implant placement.
Medial geniculate nucleus
Nucleus in the thalamus that acts as a relay station of the auditory pathway, passing signals from the inner ear to the auditory cortex. Its counterpart for vision is the lateral geniculate nucleus.
See also: Lateral geniculate nucleus
Medical doctoral thesis (Germany)
Scientific thesis (dissertation) with which the title Dr. med. is usually obtained in German medicine. Unlike in many subjects, it is often started during studies; the title is not a requirement for practising as a doctor.
Molluscum contagiosum
Harmless, contagious viral skin bumps with a central dimple, mainly in children.