Medical dictionary

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Iatrogenic disease: a disease produced as a consequence of medical or surgical treatment.
Ichthyosis: scaly skin.
Icterus: jaundice.
Idiopathic: term applied to diseases to indicate that their cause is unknown.
Idiopathic thrombocythaemia purpura (ITP): a rare disorder characterised by an acute shortage ofplatelets with resultant bruising and spontaneous bleeding. Anti-platelet antibodies are detectable in some cases. It may present in either an acute or a chronic form.
Ileum: the lower end of the small intestine.
Ileus: intestinal blockage.
Immobilization: stopping movement.
Immune complex: the result of a reaction between an antigen and a specific antibody.
Immune deficiency: impaired ability of the body's defence mechanisms to combat infections by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Immune response: the reaction of the body to an antigen, for example an infectious agent, or to the tissues of another individual as in the rejection of an organ transplant.
Immune system: the body's complicated natural defense against disruption caused by invading infections andcancers.
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP): an immune disorder that results in a low number of platelets in the blood.
Immunity: natural or acquired resistance provided by the immune system to a specific disease.
Immunization: the process of protecting an individual against communicable diseases by injecting weakened or killed infectious organisms into the body to cause the immune system to produceantibodies and activateT-cells against the organism without causing the full-blown disease.
Immunocompetent: refers to an immune system capable of developing a normal protective response when confronted with invading infections or cancer.
Immunocompromised: refers to an immune system in which the response to infections and tumors is subnormal.
Immunodeficiency: a condition resulting from a defectiveimmune system.
Immunogenic:producing immunity.
Immunoglobulins: proteins in the blood plasma which function as antibodies and play an important part in controlling infections.
Immunological: immunity study-related.
Immunosuppression: a treatment induced reduction in the body's defence mechanisms.
Impetigo: a contagious superficial infection of the skin caused bystaphylococci andstreptococci.
Impotence: inability of a man to experience an erection.
Impregnation: making pregnant.
In situ: in the normal place.
In vivo: in the body.
In vitro: in a test tube.
Incarceration: strangulated hernia.
Incidence: number of cases.
Incision: cut.
Incisive: cutting.
Incontinence: a condition in which there is a loss of control over the bladder or bowel. Further info.
Incubation period: the period of time it takes between first contact witha virus or bacteria and when signs (symptoms) first appear.
Indication: purpose for which a drug is prescribed.
Indigestion: digestive upset, which may include flatulence, heartburn, nausea or vomiting. See also dyspepsia.
Induction therapy: the initial, concentrated phase of a particular treatment.
Induration: hardening.
Infarction: death of a tissue through lack of oxygen.
Infection: when a bacteria or virus enters the body, grows, and does damage.
Infiltrate: material deposited as a result of filtration.
Inflammation: living tissue's reaction to injury; in an inflamed area the flow of blood increases, resulting in heat and redness; fluid and cells leak into the tissue, causing swelling. Most inflammatory reactions are short-lasting responses to injury, but in some diseases inflammation is both persistent (chronic) and abnormal.
Inflammatory arthritis/inflammatory arthropathy: this group of conditions includes systemic diseases (of or concerning the whole body, not confined to a particular part) which target joints (e.grheumatoid arthritis) as well as purely local inflammatory disorders (e.g.septic arthritis). It includes some of the most severe, painful and disabling chronic diseases, many of which start in children or young adults. In inflammatoryarthropathies the joint lining becomes inflamed, which can damage the surface of the joint and underlying bone.
Influenza: flu. Further info.
Infusion: the process of administering a medication to an individual by slowly injecting a dilute solution of the compound into a vein.
Ingestion: swallowing.
Inguinal: groin-related.
Inguinal hernia: the protrusion of the intestines or fat through the muscle of the abdominal wall.
Inhalation: breathing in.
Inherent: natural.
Innervation: nerve distribution.
Inotropic: affecting muscular contractions.
Insomnia: sleeplessness.
Inspiration: breathing in.
Insulin: a hormone that helps the body to utilize glucose for energy, produced by the beta cells of the pancreas.
Integumentary: of skin.
Intention tremor: shakiness.
Intercostal: between the ribs.
Interferons: a family of proteins derived from human cells and involved in fighting viral infections.
Interindividual: between individuals.
Interleukin: a whole family of proteins, some of which may be important in triggering inflammation in the joints. See alsocytokine;lymphokine.
Interstitial: in gaps between tissue.
Intertrigo: superficial inflammation of two skin ssurfacesthat are in contact, such as between thighs or under breasts.
Intervertebral: between two adjacent vertebrae.
Intestines: the gut.
Intolerance: allergy to a food, drug, or other substance.
Intoxication: poisoning.
Intractable: any condition that does not respond to treatment.
Intraindividual: within the individual.
Intramuscular injection: injection into the muscle.
Intraocular: within the eye.
Intrapartum: during birth.
Intrathecal injection: injection of drugs into the spinal fluid.
Intravascular: within a blood vessel.
Intravenous infusion: the giving ofantibiotics, blood products, anti-cancer drugs or nutrients into a patient's vein over a prolonged period of time.
Intravenous injection: the giving of drugs into a vein through a syringe.
Intrinsic: internal.
Intubation: inserting a tube into the larynx to assist respiration.
Intussusception: a rare disorder in which part of the intestines folds into another part of the intestines, causing blockage.
In utero: Latin term for "in the uterus." Refers to events that occur in the womb during pregnancy.
Invasive: tending to spread and invade healthy tissue.
Inversion: to turn inward.
In vitro: literally meaning "in glass". Used to describe studies carried out on living cells or tissues grown in the laboratory.
In vivo: in living tissue or in a whole organism.
Iridocyclitis: eye inflammation.
Iritis: eye irritation.
Irrigation: washing.
Ischaemia: local anaemia due to mechanical obstruction of the blood supply.
Ischaemic: relating to or infected by ischaemia.
Ischaemic heart disease: coronary heart disease. Further info.
IUCD: Intrauterine birth control device, which prevents implantation of an embryo into the uterus should fertilisation occur, coil.

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