Medical terms - Letter I (page 12) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Isometric exercise

Exercise involving muscular contractions without movement of the involved parts of the body. Isometric exercise is one method of muscular exercise. In contrast, isotonic exercise occurs when a contracting muscle…
Isometropia

The condition in which both eyes have equal refractive power. If, for example, one eye is myopic (nearsighted), so is the other. Or if one eye is hyperopic (farsighted), so is the other. Or both eyes may have normal…
Isoprene

One of the major components that makes up natural rubber and is used to make synthetic rubbers. It is also emitted from plants and trees, has been detected in tobacco smoke and automobile exhaust. Isoprene is a possible…
Isotonic exercise

Exercise when a contracting muscle shortens against a constant load, as when lifting a weight. Isotonic exercise is one method of muscular exercise. In contrast, isometric exercise is when muscular contractions occur…
Isotonic solution

A solution that has the same salt concentration as the normal cells of the body and the blood. As opposed to a hypertonic solution or a hypotonic solution. An isotonic beverage may be drunk to replace the fluid and…
Isotope

A form of a chemical element with the same atomic number as another element but having a different atomic mass. Isotopes are used in a number of medical tests.
Isotopic

Referring to an isotope, a form of a chemical element with the same atomic number as another element but having a different atomic mass. From the Greek 'iso-', equal, the same + 'topos', place. Isotopes are used in a…
Italian disease

Syphilis. Depending upon someone's thoughts as to where the disease came from, syphilis was also known as the French, Spanish, German and Polish disease
ITC

In-the-canal (that is, the ear canal). See In-the-canal hearing aid
Itch, jellyfish

An intensely itchy rash due to contact with the tiny thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata). These jellyfish are common between March and August in the waters off of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean…
Itch, ocean

An intensely itchy rash due to contact with the tiny thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata). These jellyfish are common between March and August in the waters off of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean…
Itch, seabather's

An intensely itchy rash due to contact with the tiny thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata). These jellyfish are common between March and August in the waters off of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean…
Itching

Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on the skin or in the skin, and makes the person want to scratch the affected area. Medically known as pruritus. Something that is…
Itching, anal

See: Anal itching
Itchy ear

Itching of the ears. Can be the first sign of an ear infection, but if the problem is chronic, it is more likely caused by a chronic dermatitis of the ear canal. Seborrheic dermatitis and eczema can both affect the ear…
ITE

In-the-ear. See: In-the-ear hearing aid
Itis

Suffix meaning inflammation. For example, colitis is literally colon inflammation or figuratively inflammation of the colon. The ending -itis is one of the building blocks derived from Greek (in this case) or Latin used…
ITN

Insecticide-treated bednet. 'Provision of insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) is universally accepted as an efficacious and essential public health service in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa endemic for malaria.' (H…
ITP

1. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. (Original use.)2. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura. (Newer use). Note: Immune thrombytopenic purpura is now the preferred designation for the disease. It specifies the immune…
IU (international unit)

An international unit (IU) is an internationally accepted amount of a substance. This type of measure is used for the fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D and E) and certain hormones, enzymes, and biologicals…
IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device)

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…
IUGR

1. Originally, intrauterine growth retardation.2. More recently, intrauterine growth restriction.
IV (intravenous)

>Intravenous antibiotics refer to the administration into the venous circulation of a solution containing antibiotics; >Intravenous immunoglobulin is a sterile solution of concentrated antibodies extracted from healthy…
IV cholangiogram

See: Intravenous cholangiogram
IVC

1. Intravenous cholangiogram, an X-ray study of the gallbladder. 2. Inferior vena cava, the largest vein coming up below the heart to it. As an IVC filter
IVF

In vitro fertilization, a laboratory procedure in which sperm are placed with an unfertilized egg in a Petri dish to achieve fertilization. The embryo is then transferred into the uterus to begin a pregnancy or…