Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

Mendelian
Referring to Gregor Mendel or his
theories.
Mendelian inheritance
The manner by which
genes and traits are passed from parents to their
children. The modes of Mendelian inheritance are
autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked
dominant, and X-linked recessive. Also known as
classical or simple genetics.
Ménière’s disease
A condition that is character-
ized by recurrent vertigo accompanied by ringing in
the ears (tinnitus) and deafness. Symptoms include
vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing
in the affected ear, and abnormal eye movements.
Ménière’s disease is due to dysfunction of the semi-
circular canals (endolymphatic sac) in the inner
ear. Treatment usually includes use of medications,
such as anticholinergic drugs or antihistamines, to
relieve the vertigo. Diuretics may also be used to
lower the pressure in the endolymphatic sac. Also
known as recurrent aural vertigo. See also 
vertigo.
meningeal
Pertaining to the meninges.
meningeal carcinoma
See 
meningitis, neo-
plastic.
meningeal metastases
See 
meningitis, neo-
plastic.
meninges
The three membranes that cover the
brain and spinal cord (singular: meninx). The out-
side meninx is called the dura mater, and is the
most resilient of the three meninges. The center
layer is the pia mater, and the thin innermost layer
is the arachnoid. Inflammation of the meninges
(meningitis) can occur due to infection. See also
meningitis.
meningioma
A common type of slow-growing,
usually benign brain tumor that arises from the
dura, one of the meninges, the membranes covering
the brain and spinal cord. A meningioma may occur
wherever there is dura (the outermost of the three
meninges), but the most common sites are over the
cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Meningiomas
are the only brain tumors that are more common in
women than in men. They tend to occur in people
between ages 40 and 60 but can occur at any age. A
person may have several meningiomas. Very rarely
do meningiomas become malignant. The symptoms
depend on the location of the tumor. Treatment
ranges from observation to neurosurgical resection.
meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges, the
three membranes that envelop the brain and the
spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by infection
by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Other causes
include cancer (metastasis to the meninges),
inflammatory diseases, and drugs. In some cases
the cause of meningitis cannot be determined. The
treatment depends on the cause of the meningitis.