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iatrogenic
A term used to describe a
disease, disorder, or medical condition that is a direct result of
medical treatment.
ichthyosis
A variety of diseases in
which the skin is dry and scaly.
idiopathic
A term used to describe
something that occurs of an unknown cause.
ileostomy
A surgical procedure in
which the lower part of the small
intestine (the ileum) is cut and brought to an opening in the
abdominal wall, where feces can be passed out of the body.
ileum
The lowest section of the small intestine, which
attaches to the large intestine.
ilium
One of the two bones that
form the hip on either side of the body.
imaging
The technique of creating
pictures of structures inside of the body using X-rays, ultrasound
waves, or magnetic fields.
immune
deficiency
Impairment of the immune
system, which reduces protection against infection and illness.
immune
system
The cells, substances, and
structures in the body that protect against infection
and illness.
immunity
Resistance to a specific
disease because of the responses of the immune system.
immunization
The process of causing immunity by
injecting antibodies or provoking
the body to make its own antibodies against a certain microorganism.
immunocompromised
Weakening of the body’s immune
system.
immunodeficiency
Failure of the body’s immune system to fight disease.
immunoglobin
Proteins in blood and tissue fluids
that help destroy microorganisms
such as bacteria and viruses.
immunology
The study of the immune
system, including how it functions and disorders that affect it.
immunostimulant
A drug that increases the
ability of the body’s immune system to
fight disease.
immunosuppressant
A drug that inhibits the
activity of the immune system; used to prevent rejection of a
transplant organ and in disorders where the body's immune system attacks
its own tissues.
impacted
fracture
A bone break in which the
two broken ends have been forced into each other.
imperforate
anus
A birth defect in which the
opening of the anus is not formed
normally.
impetigo
A highly contagious skin infection caused by bacteria, usually occurring
around the nose and mouth; commonly occurring in children.
implant
An organ, tissue, or
device surgically inserted and left in the body.
impotence
The inability to acquire
or maintain an erection of the penis.
incompetent cervix
An abnormally weak cervix, which widens prematurely
during pregnancy as a result of the weight of a developing fetus; may result in a miscarriage.
incontinence
Inability to hold urine or
feces inside of the body.
incubation period
The time period between
when an infectious organism enters the body and when symptoms occur.
indigestion
Uncomfortable symptoms
brought on by overeating or eating spicy, rich, or fatty foods;
characterized by heartburn, pain in the abdomen, nausea, and gas, and can be more
serious if recurrent.
induction
of labor
The use of artificial
means to start the process of childbirth.
infarction
Tissue death due to lack
of blood supply.
infection
Disease-causing microorganisms that enter the
body, multiply, and damage cells or release toxins.
infective arthritis
Arthritis caused by bacteria from a
wound or the bloodstream entering a joint.
infertility
The inability to have
children as a result of sexual intercourse.
inflammation
Redness, pain, and
swelling in an injured or infected tissue produced as a result of the
body's healing response.
inflammatory
bowel disease
The general term for two
inflammatory disorders affecting the intestines;
also known as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
inflammatory joint disease
Any type of arthritis that causes a joint to
become inflamed.
influenza
A viral infection
characterized by headaches, muscle aches, fever, weakness, and cough;
commonly called the "flu".
informed
consent
Agreement to undergo a
medical procedure after the technique, its risks, and its possible
complications have been explained.
infusion
The introduction of a
substance, such as a drug or nutrient,
into the bloodstream or a body cavity.
ingestion
Taking something into the
body through the mouth.
ingrown toenail
A painful condition of the
big toe in which the nail grows into the skin on either side, causing inflammation
and/or infection.
inguinal hernia
The bulging of a portion
of the intestines or abdominal tissue into the muscles of
the groin (the area just below the abdomen).
inhaler
A device used to introduce
a powdered or misted drug into the lungs through the mouth, usually to
treat respiratory disorders such as asthma.
inheritance
The passing of traits from
parent to child through genes.
injection
The use of a syringe and
needle to insert a drug into a vein, muscle, or joint or under the skin.
insemination
The placement of semen
into a woman's uterus, cervix, or vagina.
in
situ
"in place";
often describes a cancer that has not spread.
insomnia
Difficulty falling or
remaining asleep.
insulin
A hormone
made in the pancreas that plays
an important role in the absorption of glucose
(the body's main source of energy) into muscle cells.
insulinoma
A noncancerous tumor of the insulin-producing cells of
the pancreas; the tumor releases
excess insulin into the blood, causing glucose
levels to drop dangerously low.
intensive
care
Close monitoring of a
patient who is seriously ill.
interferon
A protein
produced by body cells that fights viral infections and certain cancers.
internal
fixation
A method of holding a
broken bone in place using surgically inserted screws, rods, or plates.
interstitial
Lying between body
structures or in the interspaces of tissues.
interstitial cystitis
Persistent inflammation of
the lining and muscle of the bladder.
interstitial lung disease
A disease of the connective tissue
surrounding the air sacs of the lungs that causes a dry cough, scarring
of lung tissue, and shortness of breath.
interstitial pulmonary
fibrosis
Scarring of connective tissue in the
lungs that leads to shortness of breath.
interstitial radiation
therapy
A treatment for cancer in which a radioactive material
is inserted into or near a tumor to
provide direct radiation.
intervertebral disks
Broad, flat cartilage
structures containing a gel-like fluid that cushion and separate vertebrae.
intestinal
bypass
A surgical procedure in
which the beginning of the large
intestine is joined to its end so that less food is absorbed;
because of serious side effects, usually performed only on seriously
obese people.
intestine
A long, tube-shaped organ
that extends from the stomach to the anus;
absorbs food and water and passes the waste products of digestion as
feces.
intra-aortic balloon pump
A small balloon inserted
into the aorta that helps to
circulate blood by inflating between heartbeats.
intractable
Describes a condition that
does not respond to treatment.
intramedullary rod
A strong metal rod that is
placed inside of a broken bone to help it heal correctly.
intraocular pressure
The pressure of the fluids
within the eye.
intrauterine
device
A device inserted into the
uterus that helps to prevent
pregnancy.
intravenous
Inside of or into a vein.
intrinsic
A term used to describe
something originating from or located in a tissue or organ.
intubation
The passage of a tube into
an organ or body structure; commonly used to refer to the passage of a
tube down the windpipe for artificial respiration.
invasive
Describes something that
spreads throughout body tissues, such as a tumor
or microorganism; also
describes a medical procedure in which body tissues are penetrated.
in
vitro
"in glass"; a
biological test or process that is carried out in a laboratory.
in vitro
fertilization
A treatment for infertility
in which an egg and a sperm are joined outside the woman's body, and the
fertilized egg is then inserted into the uterus or fallopian tube.
in
vivo
"in the living
body"; a biological process that occurs inside of the body.
involuntary
Occurring without a person’s
control or participation.
iodine
An element for the
formation of thyroid hormones.
ionizing radiation
Radiation that damages cells or
genes; can be used to treat cancer.
IQ
Intelligence quotient; a
measure of a person's intelligence as determined by specific tests.
iris
The colored part of the
eye.
iron
A mineral
necessary for the formation of important biological substances such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, and certain
enzymes.
iron-deficiency anemia
A type of anemia
caused by a greater-than-normal loss of iron due to bleeding, problems
absorbing iron, or a lack of iron in the diet.
irrigation
The cleansing of a wound
by flushing it with water, a medicated solution, or some other fluid.
irritable
bladder
Involuntary contractions
of muscles in the bladder, which can cause lack of control of urination.
irritable bowel syndrome
Abnormal muscle movement
in the intestines, which causes abdominal pain
and irregular bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation, or both).
ischemia
A condition in which a
tissue or organ does not receive a sufficient supply of blood.
IUD
See intrauterine
device.
IVF
See in
vitro fertilization.
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