26 I
ileocecal (il-ē-ō-SĒ-kăl): Pertaining to the ileum and cecum.
ileostomy (IL-ē-OS-tŏ-mē): Creation of an artificial opening in the ileum.
iliofemoral (il-ē-ō-FEM-ŏ-răl): Pertaining to the ilium and femur.
immune (i-MŪN): Resistant to specific pathogens.
immune system (i-MŪN SIS-tĕm): Series of barriers, cells, and soluble mediators that combine to response to infections of the body with pathogenic organisms.
immunity (im-Ū-nĭt-ē): After an infection, memory cells remain in the body for a long time and can very quickly mount an immune response against the same pathogen if it tries to re-infect. This protects us from getting diseases from the same pathogen over again.
immunodeficiency (im-yŭ-nō-dĕ-FISH-ĕn-sē): Deficient immune response caused by immune system dysfunction brought on by disease or immune suppressive drugs.
immunological memory (im-yŭ-NOL-ŏ-jē- kăl MEM-ŏ-rē): Ability of the adaptive immune response to mount a stronger and faster immune response upon re-exposure to a pathogen.
Immunologist (ĭm-ū-NŎL-ō-jĭst): Specialist who studies and treats immune system disorders.
immunology (im-yŭ-NOL-ŏ-jē): Study of disorders of the immune system.
implantable cardioverter defibrillator (im-plan″TĀ-shŏn KĂR-dē-ō-vĕr-tĕr dē-FIB-rĭ-lāt-ŏr): An electronic implant that provides an automatic shock to convert a dangerous heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm.
incise, incision (in-SĪZ, in-SIZH-ŏn): Surgical cut into or wound produced by a sharp instrument.
incision and drainage (in-SIZH-ŏn & DRĀN-ăj): Surgical cut made to allow the free flow of fluids from a lesion, wound, or cavity.
incontinence (in-KONT-ĭn-ĕns): Inability to control the bladder and/or bowels.
induction (in-DŬK-shŏn): The process of bringing on or starting labour. This may be done with a membrane sweep or through the use of IV oxytocin.
induration (ĬN-dū-rā-shun): A firm, raised reddened patch of skin.
infection (in-FEK-shŏn): Invasion by disease-causing organisms.
inferior (or caudal) (in-FĒR-ē-ŏr): Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column).
inferior vena cava (in-FĒR-ē-ŏr VĒ-nă KĀ-vă): One of the two largest veins in the body. It carries deoxygenated blood from the torso and legs back to the heart.
infertility (in-fĕr-TIL-ĭt-ē): Inability to achieve pregnancy.
inflammation (in-flă-MĀ-shŏn): Basic innate immune response characterized by heat, redness, pain, and swelling.
influenza (flu) (in-floo-EN-ză): Highly contagious viral infection effecting the respiratory tract.
inguinal canal (ING-gwĭ-năl kă-NAL): Opening in abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity.
initial segment (ĭn-ĬSH-ăl SEG-mĕnt): First part of the axon as it emerges from the axon hillock, where the electrical signals known as action potentials are generated.
innate immune response (ĭn-NĀT i-MŪN ri-SPONS): Rapid but relatively nonspecific immune response.
inspiration (ĭn-spĭr-Ā-shŭn