Macrophage
/ˈmækrəfeɪdʒ/
A large phagocytic cell found in stationary form in the tissues or as a mobile white blood cell.
Macula
/ˈmækjʊlə/
An oval yellowish area surrounding the fovea near the center of the retina in the eye.
Malleolus
/mæˈliːələs/
A bony projection on each side of the ankle (medial malleolus of tibia and lateral of fibula).
Malleus
/ˈmæliəs/
A small hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear that transmits vibrations from the eardrum.
Mamillary
/ˈmæmɪlɛri/
Small round bodies on the undersurface of the brain that form part of the limbic system.
Mandible
/ˈmændɪbəl/
The jawbone; the largest and strongest bone in the human face.
Manubrium
/məˈnuːbriəm/
The broad, upper part of the sternum (breastbone).
Masseter
/mæˈsiːtər/
A powerful muscle which raises the lower jaw and is used in chewing.
Mastoid
/ˈmæstɔɪd/
A conical prominence of the temporal bone behind the ear.
Matrix
/ˈmeɪtrɪks/
The intercellular substance of a tissue, such as bone or cartilage.
Maxilla
/mækˈsɪlə/
The bone that forms your upper jaw and holds your upper teeth.
Meatus
/miˈeɪtəs/
A passage or opening leading to the interior of the body (e.g., the external auditory meatus).
Medial
/ˈmiːdiəl/
Situated in the middle, specifically towards the midline of the body.
Mediastinum
/ˌmiːdiæˈstaɪnəm/
The central compartment of the thoracic cavity between the lungs.
Medulla
/mɪˈdʌlə/
The innermost part of an organ or structure, such as the adrenal medulla or medulla oblongata.
Melanocyte
/mɪˈlænoʊsaɪt/
A mature melanin-forming cell, typically in the skin.
Meninges
/mɪˈnɪndʒiːz/
The three membranes (dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater) that line the skull and vertebral canal.
Meniscus
/mɪˈnɪskəs/
A thin fibrous cartilage between the surfaces of some joints, e.g., the knee.
Mesentery
/ˈmɛzəntɛri/
A fold of the peritoneum which attaches the stomach, small intestine, and other organs to the posterior wall of the abdomen.
Metacarpals
/ˌmɛtəˈkɑːrpəlz/
The five bones of the hand between the wrist (carpals) and the fingers (phalanges).
Metatarsals
/ˌmɛtəˈtɑːrsəlz/
The five bones of the foot between the ankle (tarsals) and the toes (phalanges).
Microglia
/maɪˈkrɒɡliə/
Small glial cells that act as macrophages in the central nervous system.
Midbrain
/ˈmɪdbreɪn/
A small central part of the brainstem, developing from the middle of the primitive or embryonic brain.
Mitral
/ˈmaɪtrəl/
The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart; the bicuspid valve.
Modiolus
/moʊˈdaɪələs/
The conical central axis of the cochlea of the ear.
Molar
/ˈmoʊlər/
A grinding tooth at the back of a mammal's mouth.
Monocyte
/ˈmɒnəsaɪt/
A large phagocytic white blood cell with a simple oval nucleus and clear, grayish cytoplasm.
Motor
/ˈmoʊtər/
Relating to muscular movement or the nerves that activate it.
Mucosa
/mjuːˈkoʊsə/
A mucous membrane that lines many body cavities and tubular organs.
Multifidus
/mʌlˈtɪfɪdəs/
A series of small, triangular muscle bundles located on either side of the spinal column.
Myocardium
/ˌmaɪoʊˈkɑːrdiəm/
The muscular tissue of the heart.
Myofibril
/ˌmaɪoʊˈfaɪbrɪl/
Any of the elongated contractile threads found in striated muscle cells.
Myometrium
/ˌmaɪoʊˈmiːtriəm/
The smooth muscle tissue of the uterus.
Myosin
/ˈmaɪəsɪn/
A fibrous protein that forms (together with actin) the contractile filaments of muscle cells.