Medical terms - Letter I (page 10) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Intraocular

In the eye. The intraocular pressure is the pressure within the eye
Intraocular lens

An artificial lens made of plastic, silicone, acrylic or other material that is implanted inside the eye during cataract surgery. Abbreviated IOL. Removal of the cataract and insertion of the IOL typically takes about…
Intraocular melanoma

An eye cancer in which the malignant cells arise in the part of the eye called the uvea. The uvea includes the iris (the colored part of the eye), the ciliary body (a muscle in the eye), and the choroid (a layer of…
Intraocular pressure

The pressure created by the continual renewal of fluids within the eye. The intraocular pressure is increased in glaucoma. In acute angle-closure glaucoma, the intraocular pressure rises because the canal into which the…
Intraocular tension

The pressure within the eye. See: Intraocular pressure
Intraoperative

During surgery. Literally, within surgery. Intraoperative hemorrhage is bleeding during surgery
Intraoperative blood salvage

The recovery of blood that has been lost into a body cavity during surgery or due to trauma. This blood can then be reintroduced into the patient's circulation, reducing the need for donor blood transfusion
Intraoperative radiation therapy

Radiation treatment given during surgery. Also called IORT. See also radiation therapy
Intraoral

Within the mouth
Intraperitoneal

Within the peritoneal cavity, the area that contains the abdominal organs
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Chemotherapy: Treatment in which anticancer drugs are put directly into the abdomen through a thin tube
Intrastromal corneal ring

A plastic ring designed to be implanted in the cornea, the transparent structure in the front of the eye. The aim of the corneal ring implant is to flatten the cornea and in so doing to correct or reduce the degree of…
Intrathecal chemotherapy

Chemotherapy: Treatment with drugs that are injected into the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid)
Intrauterine

In the uterus (the womb). As opposed to extrauterine: outside the uterus. For example, normal pregnancies are intrauterine; extrauterine pregnancies are distinctly abnormal.
Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)

A device inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent conception (pregnancy). The IUD can be a coil, loop, triangle, or T-shape. It can be plastic or metal. An IUD is inserted into the uterus by a health-care…
Intrauterine growth restriction

The growth of the fetus is abnormally slow. When born, the baby appears too small, considering its' dates. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with increased risk of medical illness and death in the newborn…
Intrauterine growth retardation

A procedure in which a fine catheter (tube) is inserted through the cervix (the natural opening of the uterus) into the uterus (the womb) to deposit a sperm sample directly into the uterus. The purpose of IUI is to…
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

A procedure in which a fine catheter (tube) is inserted through the cervix (the natural opening of the uterus) into the uterus (the womb) to deposit a sperm sample directly into the uterus. The purpose of IUI is to…
Intravenous (IV)

1) Into a vein. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics are a solution containing antibiotics that is administered directly into the venous circulation via a syringe or intravenous catheter (tube). 2) The actual solution that is…
Intravenous cholangiogram

Feeding through a vein. Also called parenteral alimentation or parenteral nutrition.
Intravenous feeding

Intravenous feeding: Feeding through a vein. Also called parenteral alimentation or parenteral nutrition
Intravenous immunoglobulin

A sterile solution of concentrated antibodies extracted from healthy people that is given straight into a vein. It is used to treat disorders of the immune system, or to boost immune response to serious illness…
Intravenous pyelogram

An x-ray of the kidneys and urinary tract. Structures are made visible by the injection of a substance that blocks x-rays. Also called IVP.
Intravenous tension

The pressure of the blood within a vein, the venous pressure
Intraventricular

In the ventricle of the heart or brain.
Intravitreous

In the vitreous, the fluid behind the lens in the eye. As in an intravitreous injection.
Intrinsic

1. An essential or inherent part of a something such as a structure.2. Coming from within, from the inside. Proteins have intrinsic signals that govern their transport and localization in the cell. From the Latin…
Introitus

In anatomy, an introitus is an entrance, one that goes into a canal or hollow organ. The introitus of the facial canal is the entrance to the facial canal, a passage in the temporal bone of the skull through which the…
Introitus, facial canal

In anatomy, an introitus is an entrance, one that goes into a canal or hollow organ. The introitus of the facial canal is the entrance to the facial canal, a passage in the temporal bone of the skull through which the…
Introitus, vaginal

The vaginal opening is called the introitus of the vagina. The Latin word 'introitus' comes from 'intro', into, within + 'ire', to go = to go into. In anatomy, an introitus is thus an entrance, one that goes into a…
Intron

Part of a gene that is initially transcribed into the primary RNA transcript but then removed from it when the exon sequences on either side of it are spliced together. Also called an intervening sequence.
Intubate

To put a tube into a hollow organ or passageway, often into the airway. The opposite of intubate is extubate.
Intubation

The process of putting a tube into a hollow organ or passageway, often into the airway. The opposite of intubation is extubation.
Intussusception

Intussusception: Telescoping (prolapse) of a portion of the intestine within another immediately adjacent portion of intestine. This decreases the supply of blood to the affected part of the intestine, and frequently…
Inuit health

See: Artic health
Invasive candidiasis

A fungal infection that occurs when Candida (a yeast-like fungus) enters the bloodstream and then spreads through the body. Candida is the fourth most common cause of bloodstream infection among hospitalized patients in…
Invasive cervical cancer

Cancer that has spread from the surface of the cervix to tissue deeper in the cervix or to other parts of the body.
Inverse psoriasis

Also called flexural psoriasis, a form of psoriasis found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other flexion creases (skin folds) such as those around the genitals and buttocks. This form of psoriasis appears…
Inversion, chromosome

A chromosome segment is clipped out, turned upside down and reinserted back into the chromosome. A chromosome inversion can be inherited and have come from one of the parents to a child. Or the inversion can appear for…
Inversion, paracentric chromosome

A basic type of chromosome rearrangement in which a segment that does not include the centromere (and so is paracentric) has been snipped out of a chromosome, turned through 180 degrees (inverted), and inserted right…
Inversion, pericentric chromosome

A basic type of chromosome rearrangement in which a segment that includes the centromere (and so is pericentric) has been snipped out of a chromosome, turned through 180 degrees (inverted), and inserted back into its…
Invert

1) To turn inward. To invert the foot is to move its forepart toward the midline of the body. 2) To turn upside down or inside out. Inversion of the nipple can be normal or be a sign of an underlying tumor. 3) To…
Inverted repeat

A sequence of nucleotides in the DNA that is identical to another except that it has been reversed (inverted) in direction. See also: Repeat
Invest

In medicine, this has nothing to do with the stock market. It means to envelop, cover, or embed.
Involuntary

Done other than in accordance with the conscious will of the individual. The opposite of voluntary. The terms 'voluntary' and 'involuntary' apply to the human nervous system and its control over muscles. The nervous…
Involuntary smoking

The involuntary inhaling of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) by someone who is not smoking. See: ETS
Involute

1. Literally, to turn inward or roll inward. 2. To decrease in size after an enlargement. The uterus involutes after pregnancy. The thymus involutes after adolescence. 3. To undergo a retrograde change. After treatment…
Involution

1. Literally, a turning inward or rolling inward.2. A decrease in size, usually after an increase. The uterus involutes after pregnancy.3. A retrograde change. After treatment, a tumor may involute. 4. With advancing…
Iodide

The chemical form to which iodine in the diet is reduced before it is absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and carried through the blood to the thyroid gland
Iodide goiter

See Iodine excess