| metacarpophalangeal articulations | The spheroid synovial joints between the heads of the metacarpals and the bases of the proximal phalanges. Synonym: articulationes metacarpophalangeae, metacarpophalangeal articulations, MP joints. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| metacarpophalangeal joint | The articulation between a metacarpal bone and a phalanx. (12 Dec 1998) |
| metacarpophalangeal joints | The spheroid synovial joints between the heads of the metacarpals and the bases of the proximal phalanges. Synonym: articulationes metacarpophalangeae, metacarpophalangeal articulations, MP joints. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metacarpothenar reflex | Flexion of the thumb upon tapping the dorsum of the hand. Synonym: metacarpothenar reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metacarpus | <anatomy> That part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. Origin: NL, fr. Gr.; beyond, between + the wrist. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| metacentric | <genetics> Descriptive of a chromosome that has its centromere (kinetochore) at or near the middle of the chromosome, as opposed to acrocentric with the centromere near one end. (18 Nov 1997) |
| metacentric chromosome | A chromosome with a centrally placed centromere that divides the chromosome into two arms of approximately equal length. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metacercaria | The post-cercarial encysted stage in the life history of a fluke, prior to transfer to the definitive host. Some cercariae attach themselves to grass or other vegetation, form metacercaria, and later are ingested by herbivores, as in Fasciola and similar forms; others encyst in muscles of fish, as in Clonorchis, or in crayfish, as in Paragonimus. Origin: meta-+ G. Kerkos, tail (05 Mar 2000) |
| metacestode | The larval stages of a tapeworm, including the metamorphosis of the oncosphere to the first evidence of sexuality in the adult worm, differentiation of the scolex, and beginning of proglottid formation; it includes the procercoid and plerocercoid stages of pseudophyllid cestodes, and the cysticercus, cysticercoid, coenurus, and hydatid stages of cyclophyllidean cestodes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metacetone | <chemistry> A colourless liquid of an agreeable odour, C6H10O, obtained by distilling a mixture of sugar and lime; so called because formerly regarded as a polymeric modification of acetone. Origin: Pref. Met- + acetone. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| metachloral | <chemistry> A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of chloral. Origin: Pref. Meta- + chloral. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| metachromasia | <pathology> The situation where a stain when applied to cells or tissues gives a colour different from that of the stain solution. (18 Nov 1997) |
| metachromatic | Denoting cells or dyes that exhibit metachromasia. Synonym: metachromophil, metachromophile. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metachromatic bodies | Concentrated deposits consisting primarily of polymetaphosphate and occurring in many bacteria as well as in algae, fungi, and protozoa; m. Body's differ in staining properties from the surrounding protoplasm. See: metachromasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metachromatic granules | Granule's that stain a colour different from that of the dye used. See: metachromasia. Term sometimes used as a synonym for volutin. (05 Mar 2000) |