Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

macrolide antibiotic
One of a family of antibi-
otics produced by Streptomyces bacteria. Examples
of the macrolide antibiotics include erythromycin
and azithromycin. See also 
erythromycin.
macroorchidism
Abnormally large testes. To
determine if the testes are too large, a device called
an orchidometer is used that permits a testis to
be compared to a series of plastic ovals (like minia-
ture American footballs) of differing sizes.
Macroorchidism is a diagnostic feature, for exam-
ple, of the fragile X syndrome, the most common
inherited form of mental retardation. The opposite
of macroorchidism is microorchidism.
macrophage
A type of white blood cell that
ingests foreign material. Macrophages are key play-
ers in the immune response to foreign invaders of
the body, such as infectious microorganisms. They
are normally found in the liver, spleen, and connec-
tive tissues of the body.
macroscopic
Large enough to be seen with the
naked eye, as opposed to microscopic. For exam-
ple, a macroscopic tumor is big enough to see with-
out a microscope.
macrosomia
An overly large body. A child with
macrosomia has significant overgrowth, which can
represent a hormone imbalance.
Mm
14_189283 ch13.qxp 4/18/08 10:17 PM Page 255
http://www.rashidislamiccenter.com
http://www.allofislam.com/

---

macula
A small spot. For example, a macula on
the skin is a small flat spot. See also 
macula lutea.
macula lutea
A small area in the retina that pro-
vides the keenest vision. It is the light-sensitive layer
of tissue at the back of the eye. Also known as sim-
ply macula.
macular 1
Referring to a macule, a circum-
scribed change in the color of the skin that is nei-
ther elevated nor depressed.