Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

meningococcal meningitis
See 
meningitis,
meningococcal.
meningomyelocele
Protrusion of the spinal
cord and the membranes covering it through a
defect in the vertebral column. The defect is due to
failure of the neural tube to close during fetal devel-
opment. The infant has a hole in the lumbar spine
through which a skin-covered sac containing the
meninges and part of the spinal cord bulge. It may
be suspected prenatally if the mother’s serum 
alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is elevated, and it can be
meningitis, benign recurrent aseptic
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confirmed via ultrasound. Surgery is done to repair
the defect and, if needed, a shunt is inserted to treat
hydrocephalus, which may also be present. Folic
acid intake during the childbearing years lowers the
risk of bearing a child with meningomyelocele. Also
known as myelomeningocele. See also 
alpha-feto-
protein; meninges; neural tube defect; spina
bifida cystica.
meniscus, lateral knee
See 
lateral meniscus
of the knee.
meniscus, medial knee
See 
medial meniscus
of the knee.
Menkes syndrome
A genetic disorder that is
characterized by fragile, twisted hair, growth delay,
and progressive deterioration of the brain. Menkes
syndrome is due to an error in copper transport
that results in copper deficiency. The gene responsi-
ble for the syndrome is called ATP7A, on the X chro-
mosome. Females are carriers of Menkes
syndrome, and their sons who have the gene have
the disease. If the disorder is recognized early,
injections of copper have been sometimes benefi-
cial. Also known as kinky hair syndrome and cop-
per transport disease.