| minor lymphocyte stimulatory antigens | Endogenous superantigens responsible for inducing strong proliferative responses in T-cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions (see mixed lymphocyte culture test). They are encoded by mouse mammary tumour viruses that have integrated into the germ line as DNA proviruses (minor lymphocyte stimulatory loci). (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| minor lymphocyte stimulatory loci | Genetic loci responsible for the encoding of minor lymphocyte stimulatory antigens. There are at least two unlinked loci (in the mouse) and they appear to be separate from the major histocompatibility complex and minor histocompatibility loci. The mouse mammary tumour virus (see mammary tumour viruses, mouse) has the ability to integrate into these loci. The antigens induce strong T-cell proliferative responses in mixed lymphocyte reactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| minor motor seizure | Old term for nonconvulsive seizure seen in patients with secondary generalised epilepsies. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minor operation | A surgical procedure of relatively slight extent and not in itself hazardous to life. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minor planets | Small solar system planetary bodies including asteroids. most asteroids are found within the gap lying between the orbits of mars and jupiter. (12 Dec 1998) |
| minor sublingual ducts | From 8 to 20 small ducts of the sublingual salivary gland that open into the mouth on the surface of the sublingual fold; a few join the submandibular ducts. Synonym: ductus sublinguales minores, Rivinus' ducts, Walther's canals, Walther's ducts. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minor surgery | See: minor operation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| minor tranquilliser | A functional category of drugs useful in the treatment of anxiety and able to reduce anxiety at doses which do not cause excessive sedation (e.g., diazepam). Synonym: anxiolytic, minor tranquilliser. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus complexus minor | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, from transverse processes of upper thoracic and transverse and articular processes of lower and middle cervical vertebrae; insertion, into mastoid process; action, keeps head erect, draws it backward or to one side; nerve supply, dorsal primary rami of cervical spinal nerves. Synonym: musculus longissimus capitis, musculus complexus minor, musculus trachelomastoideus, musculus transversalis capitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus helicis minor | <anatomy> A band of oblique fibres covering the crus of the helix of the auricle. Synonym: musculus helicis minor, smaller muscle of helix. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus iliacus minor | <anatomy, muscle> The fibres of the iliacus arising from the anterior inferior iliac spine and inserted into the iliofemoral ligament, sometimes distinctly separate from the rest of the muscle. Synonym: musculus iliacus minor, musculus iliocapsularis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus pectoralis minor | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, third to fifth ribs at the costochondral articulations; insertion, tip of coracoid process of scapula; action, draws down scapula or raises ribs; nerve supply, medial pectoral nerve. Synonym: musculus pectoralis minor, smaller pectoral muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus psoas minor | <anatomy> An inconstant muscle, absent in about 40%; origin, bodies of twelfth thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae and disk between them; insertion, iliopubic eminence via iliopectineal arch (iliac fascia); action, assists in flexion of lumbar spine; nerve supply, lumbar plexus. Synonym: musculus psoas minor, smaller psoas muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus rectus capitis anticus minor | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, transverse process and lateral mass of atlas; insertion, basilar process of occipital bone; action, turns and inclines head forward; nerve supply, ventral primary ramus of first and second cervical spinal nerve. Synonym: musculus rectus capitis anterior, anterior rectus muscle of head, musculus rectus capitis anticus minor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| musculus rectus capitis posterior minor | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, from posterior tubercle of atlas; insertion, medial third of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone; action, rotates head and draws it backward; nerve supply, dorsal branch of first cervical (suboccipital). See: suboccipital muscles. Synonym: musculus rectus capitis posterior minor, musculus rectus capitis posticus minor, smaller posterior rectus muscle of head. (05 Mar 2000) |