Glossary. 305 



Mesentery (mezf-en-ter-i}. A fold of the peritoneum that connects cer- 

 tain portions of the intestine with the dorsal abdominal wall. 



Metabolism (me-tab'-o-lizm}. A change in the intimate condition of 

 cells ; (1) constructive or synthetic metabolism is called Anabo- 

 lism ; in anabolism, the substance is becoming more complex and 

 is accumulating force ; (2) destructive or analytic metabolism is 

 called Katabolism ; in katabolism there is disintegration, the mate- 

 rial is becoming less complex, and there is loss or expenditure of 

 force. 



Metacarpus (met-a-kiir'-pus'). The bones of the palm of the hand. 



Metatarsus (met-a-tar'-sus'). The five bones of the arch of the foot, 

 situated between the tarsus and the phalanges. 



Mitral (ml'-tral}. Resembling a miter; mitral valve, with two flaps, 

 between the left auricle and the left ventricle. 



Molar (mo'-ldr). Mill; the grinding-teeth. 



Mucous (mu'-kus*). A term applied to those tissues that secrete mucus. 



Mucus (muf-kus'). A viscid liquid secretion of mucous membranes, 

 composed essentially of mucin, holding in suspension desquamated 

 epithelial cells, etc. 



Myosin (mi'-o-sm). A proteid of the globulin class, the chief proteid 

 of muscle. Its coagulation after death causes rigor mortis. 



Narcosis (ncir-fco'-sis). The deadening of pain, or production of incom- 

 plete or complete anesthesia by the use of narcotic agents, such as 

 anesthetics, opium, and other drugs. 



Narcotic (nar-kot'-ic). A drug that produces narcosis. 



Neural (nu'-ral}. Pertaining to the nerves. 



Neuroglia (nu-rog'-li-a'). The reticulated framework or skeleton-work 

 of the substance of the brain and spinal cord. The term is some- 

 times abbreviated to glia. 



Nucleus (nu'-kle-us). The essential part of a typical cell, usually round 

 in outline, and situated in the center. 



Occipital (ok-sip'-i-tal}. Pertaining to the occiput or back part of the 

 head, as the occipital bone. 



Odontoid (o-don'-toid). Resembling a tooth ; the tooth-like process 

 (axis) of the second cervical vertebra, on which the atlas turns. 



Olfactory (ol-fak'-to-ri}. Pertaining to the sense Of smell. 



Osmosis (os-rao'-sis). That property by which liquids and crystalline 

 substances in solution pass through porous septa ; endosmosis and 

 exosmosis. 



