Similar considerations as here in the case of asymmetric carbon atoms apply generally in the case of chiral substructures.

Definition: The molecules of a meso compound are achiral despite the presence of chiral substructures.

A meso compound thus is very different from a racemate.

The human body is a macroscopic analog of a meso compound molecule, a "meso object": It has (superficially seen) mirror symmetry, i.e. is achiral though containing chiral parts: The right hand is compensated for by the left hand, and so on.