MediHealth
-
Macrophage
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:24Macrophages are cells that kill invading germs by swallowing them. When a macrophage sees an unwelcome invader, it changes shape so that it can swallow it. It then holds it inside a cage so it can't escape! When the cage door closes, nasty chemicals are released, which destroy the trapped invader...
-
Malignant
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:24Malignant means a disease that gets worse or spreads as time goes on. You will often hear it used in connection with cancer and tumours, and in these cases another word for malignant is cancerous. So, if a tumour is malignant, it means it is cancerous and can spread to other parts of your body. ...
-
Mammary gland
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:24Mammary glands is the medical name for breasts. Animals that produce milk are called mammals, and a 'gland' is a part of your body that produces something. Breasts contain lots of lobules and ducts, as well as fatty tissue and blood vessels. ...
-
Mastectomy
Updated: Dec 22, 2009 - 11:43Mastectomy is the removal of mammary glands (breasts) using surgery. If someone has breast cancer, sometimes the doctors need to remove one or both mammary glands to make sure the tumour can't start growing again. Removal of one breast is called a single mastectomy and removal of two breasts is c...
-
Measles
Updated: Dec 22, 2009 - 11:44Measles is a virus. It causes an infection that is very contagious - you can catch it very easily. It's most common in kids aged between 1 and 4 years. Measles causes a rash and high temperature, and can cause inflammation of your brain. Having the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunisation...
-
Melanin
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:24Melanin is a substance in your body that gives your skin, eyes and hair their colour! It is made by cells called melanocytes, which are in your skin. If you have dark skin, you have more melanin than someone who has light skin. Melanin also helps to protect your skin from the sun – when you a...
-
Meninges
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:24Your meninges are protective layers that sit in between your skull and your brain, and there are three of them. The outer layer is called the dura mater and is very hard and thick, the middle layer is called the arachnoid, and the inner layer is called the pia mater. The pia mater is very soft an...
-
Metabolism
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:24Metabolism is the word used to describe the chemical reactions that your cells use to change both oxygen and the fuel from your food into energy. ...
-
Mucus
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:25Mucus is a thick, slimy coating that lines some areas of your body, including your nose and other airways, especially those used in breathing. It keeps these areas moist and helps to protect your lungs by trapping particles of things, like dust, that you breathe in. Mucus is a pale yellow or ...
-
Muscle
Updated: Nov 17, 2009 - 13:25Muscles are made up of a group of long cells, and are found all over your body, in different shapes and sizes. They make you move, and make things inside your body move, by squeezing (contracting) and relaxing. Did you know? 72 different muscles have to work together to produce human speech....
Search
Did you know
You don't seem to have Flash Player install (or have it disabled). Please correct this to view content. Thank you.
You don't seem to have Flash Player install (or have it disabled). Please correct this to view content. Thank you.
