Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «I»:
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Ileus, meconium
Ileus, meconium: Obstruction of
the intestine (ileus) due to overly thick meconium, the
dark sticky stuff that is normally present in the intestine
at birth and, after trypsin and other enzymes from the
pancreas have acted on it, is normally passed in the feces
after birth. Meconium ileus res...
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Ileus, paralytic
Ileus, paralytic: Obstruction of the intestine due to
paralysis of the intestinal muscles. The paralysis does not need to be complete to cause ileus, but the intestinal muscles must be so inactive that it prevents the passage of food and leads to a functional blockage of the intestine. Ileus commo...
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Iliac
Iliac: Pertaining to the ilium. ...
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Iliac horns
Iliac horns: Symmetrical bilateral central posterior
iliac processes. In other words, horn-like malformations of the crest of both iliac bones
of the pelvis. A characteristic finding in the nail-patella syndrome....
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Iliopsoas muscle
Iliopsoas muscle: A blending of two muscles (the iliacus and psoas major) that run from the lumbar portion of the vertebral column to the femur. The main action of the iliopsoas is to flex the thigh at the hip joint....
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Ilium
Ilium: The upper part of the bony pelvis which forms the receptacle for the head of the femur at the hip joint. The word "ilium" is the Medieval Latin term for the hip bone. The adjective is iliac.
"Ilium" is not to be confused with the ileum, the lowest part of the small intestine, located beyond ...
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Illness, acute
Illness, acute: An illness with an abrupt onset and usually a short
course....
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Illness, altitude
Illness, altitude: Altitude illness (or altitude sickness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It more commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters).
The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometr...
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Illness, chronic
Illness, chronic: An illness that has persisted for a long period of
time. It is a continuing disease process....
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Illness, heat-related
Illness, heat-related: A person with symptoms including headache, nausea, and fatigue after exposure to heat probably has some measure of a heat-related illness. It is important to recognize the difference between the very serious condition known as heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. Per...
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Illusion
Illusion: A perception that occurs when a sensory stimulus is present but is incorrectly perceived and misinterpreted, such as hearing the wind as someone crying. Everyone may occasionally experience an illusion. However, illusions are extraordinarily common in people suffering from schizophrenia....
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IM (intramuscular)
IM (intramuscular): An IM medication is given by
needle into the muscle. This is as opposed to a medication that is
given by a needle, for example, into the skin (intradermal) or just
below the skin (subcutaneous) or into a vein (intravenous).
...
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Imagery
Imagery: Both a mental process (as in
imagining) and a wide variety of procedures used in therapy
to encourage changes in attitudes, behavior, or
physiological reactions. As a mental process, it is often
defined as "any thought representing a sensory quality." It
includes, as well as the visual...
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Imbibe
Imbibe: 1. To drink, especially alcoholic beverages.
2. To absorb or take up fluid.
From the Latin imbibere (to drink in) in the sense of consuming drink, absorbing liquids, and appropriating ideas....
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Imbricate
Imbricate: Overlapping like shingles or tiles on a roof. The scales on a snake are imbricate. From the Latin imbricatus, covered with tiles....
