L-M-N

latent  State of being concealed, hidden, or inactive.

latent trigger points  Trigger points that lie dormant except when palpated.

law of reciprocity  The intensity and duration of radiant energy are inversely proportional.

lesion  Pathologically altered tissue, injury, or wound.

leukocyte  Any white blood cell.

leukoplakia  Disease marked by development of thick white spots or patches on the mucous membrane of cheek, tongue, or gum.

ligament  A band of fibrous connective tissue connecting the articular ends of bones.

lipoma  A fatty tumor that is not metastatic.

loading  To increase the mass or weight supported by an object or organism.

lordosis  Forward convexity in the curvature of the lumbar or cervical spine as viewed from the side.

lumbar-pelvic-rhythm   A combination of lumbar and pelvic movements that occur during maximum trunk flexion.

lymphocytes  Mononuclear and nonphagocytic white blood cells without cytoplasmic granules.

lymphoma  A general term for any neoplastic disorder of lymphoid tissue.

lyse  Break up or disintegrate.

lysosome  A membranous organelle found in many cells that contains a hydrolytic enzyme capable of digesting foreign material such as bacteria.

malignancy  A cancer that causes serious illness or death.

malingering  Pretending to be ill.

manipulation  Therapeutic use of hands with or without impulse.

matrix  The intercellular substance of a tissue.

mechanism of injury  The forces that caused the injury.

mechanoreceptor  A receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Meltzer's law (Contrary Innervation):  All living functions are continually controlled by two opposing forces.

meralgia  A pain in the thigh.

metabolite  Any product of metabolism.

metastasis  Spread of malignant cells.

microtrauma  Very small or microscopic injury or lesion.

mobilization  Making a joint movable.

modality  A therapeutic or physical agent such as thermothera­py (heat), cryotherapy (cold), hydrotherapy (water), or vibration.

monocytes  A relatively large mononuclear leukocyte (white blood cell).

mononucleosis  An acute infectious disease that affects lymphoid tissue and is characterized by fever, malaise, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, spleen enlargement, and hepatic dysfunction.

mottled  A blotchy discoloration of skin often caused by heat.

MPS  Acronym for myofascial pain syndrome.

MRI  Acronym for magnetic resonance imaging.

MS  Acronym for muscle spindle.

mucous membrane  A normally moist membrane lining passages and cavities that communicate with air such as the digestive tract and vagina.

muscle atrophy  A decrease in the size of a muscle.

muscle hypertrophy  An increase in the size of a muscle because of activity.

mutation  A permanent variation in genetic material or structure.

myalgia  Muscular pain.

myelography  X-ray of spinal column after injection of contrast medium into the spinal subarachnoid space.

myofascial  Involving muscles and fascia.

myofascial release  An osteopathic technique for slowly stretching muscles and fascia that follows the principle of creep.

myofibroblasts  A cell seemingly responsible for contracture of wounds.

myofibrosis  Replacement of muscle tissue by fibrous connec­tive tissue.

myositis  Inflammation of a voluntary muscle.

myotenositis  Inflammation of a muscle and its tendon.

necrosis  Death of a tissue.

necrotic inflammation  Acute inflammation with fairly rapid necrosis.

neoplasm  A new and abnormal formation of tissue with uncontrolled and progressive cell growth, which may be malignant or benign.

neoplastic  Pertaining to abnormal tissue growth.

nerve conduction velocity  The speed at which a peripheral nerve impulse travels the length of a nerve.

neuralgia  Pain along the course of a nerve.

neuritis  Inflammation of a nerve.

neuropraxia  1.  A traumatized nerve that no longer conducts even though anatomic structure appears to be intact.  2. Loss of conduction in a nerve because of local pressure or ischemia.

nociceptor  A nerve for receiving and transmitting injurious or painful stimuli.

NSAID  Acronym for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

nystagmus  Involuntary, rapid, and rhythmic oscillations of the eyeballs, either horizontal, vertical, rotary, or mixed.

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