A test that makes the take pictures of soft tissues in the body. These are images which are better than x-rays for some structures.
Malabsorption:
A condition in which the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients.
Mallory-Weiss tear:
A tear of the lower esophagus usually associated severe vomiting.
Malnutrition:
The condition arising from inadequate ingestion of food or poor eating habits.
Manometry:
A test which measures muscle pressure in muscle coordination in the GI tract. Usually performed for the rectum (rectal manometry) and esophagus (esophageal manometry). See esophageal manometry.
Meckel's diverticulum:
A birth defect in which small sac forms in the head terminal ileum of the patient.
Megacolon:
A dilated colon. This may result from chronic constipation. It is also associated spurs Hirschsprung's disease. Toxic megacolon may result from also of colitis.
Melena:
The presence of black blood in the stool. It reflects bleeding from an upper GI tract ulcer. This complaint results from blood travelling through the GI tract. During the transport of the blood, it has been metabolized and now appears black rather than red.
Menetrier's Disease:
A disorder which causes large folds in the stomach. This is also called giant type hypertrophic gastritis.
Motility:
A term referring to the contractions of the gastrointestinal tract. These contractions cause food to be pushed through the GI tract in a controlled fashion.
