• Specialty
  • Cardiology
  • Dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • General Medicine
  • GI/GU
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Lab Medicine & Pathology
  • Neuro-Psych
  • OB-Gyn
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedic
  • Otolaryngology - ENT
  • Radiology
  • Surgery

• GI/GU
  • Cancers & Tumors - GI/GU
  • Digestive Terms
  • Diseases - GI/GU
  • Feedings - GI/GU
  • Herbs - GI/GU
  • STD Terms
  • Syndromes - GI/GU
  • Tubes - GI/GU
  • Sample Reports - Urology
  • Sample Reports - Gastroenterology

• Digestive Terms

- M -

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A test that takes pictures of the soft tissues in the body. The pictures are clearer than x-rays.



• Malabsorption Syndromes

Conditions that happen when the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from foods.



• Mallory-Weiss Tear

A tear in the lower end of the esophagus. Caused by severe vomiting. Common in alcoholics.



• Malnutrition

A condition caused by not eating enough food or not eating a balanced diet.



• Manometry

Tests that measure muscle pressure and movements in the GI tract. See also Esophageal Manometry and Rectal Manometry.



• Meckel's Diverticulum

A birth defect in which a small sac forms in the ileum.



• Megacolon

A huge, swollen colon. Results from severe constipation. In children, megacolon is more common in boys than girls. See also Hirschsprung's Disease.



• Melena

Blood in the stool.



• Metabolism

The way cells change food into energy after food is digested and absorbed into the blood.



• Motility

The movement of food through the digestive tract.



• Motility Disorders

See Functional Disorders.



• Mucosal Lining

The lining of GI tract organs that makes mucus.



• Mucosal Protective Drugs

Medicines that protect the stomach lining from acid. Examples are sucralfate (soo-CRAL-fayt) (Carafate), misoprostol (MIH-soh-PROH-stawl) (Cytotec), antacids (Mylanta and Maalox), and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).



• Mucous Colitis

See Irritable Bowel Syndrome.



• Mucus

A clear liquid made by the intestines. Mucus coats and protects tissues in the GI tract.