Category: M

  • Modified plantigrade posture

    A standing position with the lower extremities on the ground and the upper extremities bearing weight on a table or other surface. The body weight is stabilized on all four extremities. This posture is used developmentally and in physical therapy to prepare for independent standing and gait.  

  • Maximum loose-packed position

    The position where maximum joint play occurs; the position where ligaments and capsule have the least amount of tension. This is also known as resting position.  

  • Mucous polyp

    A polyp of soft or jelly-like consistency and exhibiting mucoid degeneration.  

  • Metabolic polyneuritis

    Polyneuritis resulting from metabolic disorders such as nutritional deficiency, especially the lack of thiamine; gastrointestinal disorders; or pathologic conditions such as diabetes, pernicious anemia, and toxemias of pregnancy.  

  • Mussel poisoning

    Poisoning common on the Pacific coast of the United States resulting from eating mussels or clams that have ingested a poisonous dinoflagellate that is not destroyed by cooking. Mussel poisoning typically occurs from June to October.  

  • Mushroom and toadstool poisoning

    Poisoning caused by ingestion of mushrooms such as Amanita muscaria, which contains muscarine, or species that contain phalloidin, a component of the amanita toxin. The nearest poison control center should be called for emergency treatment.  

  • Morphine poisoning

    Acute intoxication by injected, inhaled, or orally consumed morphine sulfate.  

  • Methyl alcohol poisoning

    Intoxication with methanol (methyl alcohol). The initial primary consequences are depression of central nervous system function (including coma or convulsions), visual disturbances (including permanent blindness) due to the concentration of the toxin in the vitreous humor and optic nerve, headache, abdominal cramping, nausea, weakness, and an anion-gap metabolic acidosis.  

  • Mercurous chloride poisoning

    Acute toxic reaction to ingestion or absorption through the skin of mercurous chloride, a mercury salt. Acute poisoning is rare because it is poorly absorbed. Symptoms include increased salivation, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea.  

  • Mercuric chloride poisoning

    Acute toxic reaction to ingested or inhaled salt of mercury. This form of mercury may also be absorbed through the skin.