| melanogen | A colourless substance that may be converted into melanin; e.g., some patients with widespread metastases of melanoma excrete melanogen in their urine, and melanin is formed when the urine is exposed to air (i.e., oxidised) for a few hours. Origin: melanin + G. -gen, producing (05 Mar 2000) |
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| melanogenaemia | The presence of melanin precursors in the blood; may occur in malignant melanoma with metastasis. Origin: melanogen + G. Haima, blood (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanogenesis | Formation of melanin. Origin: melanin + G. Genesis, production (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanoglossia | Synonym: black tongue. Origin: melano-+ G. Glossa, tongue (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanoid | A dark pigment, resembling melanin, formed from glucosamines in chitin. Synonym: artificial melanin, factitious melanin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanokeratosis | Migration of conjunctival melanoblasts into the cornea. Origin: melano-+ kerato-+ G. -osis, condition (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanoleukoderma | Marbled, or marmorated, skin. Origin: melano-+ G. Leukos, white, + derma, skin (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanoleukoderma colli | A fading of the roseola of secondary syphilis, leaving reticulated depigmented and hyperpigmented areas located chiefly on the sides of the neck. Synonym: leukoderma colli, melanoleukoderma colli. (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanoliberin | A hexapeptide similar to oxytocin; it stimulates the release of melanotropin. Synonym: melanotropin-releasing factor, melanotropin-releasing hormone. Origin: melanotropin + L. Libero, to free, + -in (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanoma | <oncology, tumour> A tumour arising from the melanocytic system of the skin and other organs. When used alone the term refers to malignant melanoma. (18 Nov 1997) |
| melanoma growth stimulatory activity | Cytokine of the C X C subfamily. Potent mitogen. Activates and is chemotactic for, neutrophils. (18 Nov 1997) |
| melanoma, amelanotic | An unpigmented malignant melanoma. It is an anaplastic melanoma consisting of cells derived from melanoblasts but not forming melanin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| melanomatosis | A condition characterised by numerous, widespread lesions of melanoma. Origin: melanoma + G. -osis, condition (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanonychia | Black pigmentation of the nails. Origin: melano-+ G. Onyx (onych-), nail (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanopathy | Any disease marked by abnormal pigmentation of the skin. Origin: melano-+ G. Pathos, suffering (05 Mar 2000) |