Glossary

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Iatrogenic - a term used to describe a disease, disorder, or medical condition that is a direct result of medical treatment

Idiopathic - a term used to describe something that occurs of an unknown cause

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

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 iimmune 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

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

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

Ingestion - taking something into the body through the mouth

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)

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

Interstitial - lying between body structures or in the interspaces of tissues

Interstitial cystitis - persistent inflammation of the lining and muscle of the bladder

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

Intractable - describes a condition that does not respond to treatment

Intrauterine device - a device inserted into the uterus that helps to prevent pregnancy

Intravenous - inside of or into a vein

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

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

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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