Medical Dictionary

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ι, upper case: I
The ninth letter in the Greek alphabet, iota.

i

Incisor.
Optically inactive.

Iodine
luminous intensity or radiant intensity
ionic strength (in mol/L)
isoleucine
inosine.
intensity of electrical current, expressed in amperes.
As a subscript, symbol for inspired gas.
The "I" blood group.

123I
Symbol for iodine-123.

125I
Symbol for iodine-125.

127I
Symbol for iodine-127.

131I
Symbol for iodine-131.

132I
Symbol for iodine-132.

-ia
A suffix used to form terms for states or conditions, often abnormal. Cf.:-ism. [G. -ia, an ancient noun-forming suffix]

I band
A pale band across a striated muscle fiber that consists of actin, is much less birefringent to polarized light than the A bands, is situated between two A bands, and is bisected by a narrow dark-staining Z line, also called isotropic band.

IAHS
Abbreviation for infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome.

IANC
Abbreviation for International Anatomical Nomenclature Committee. See Nomina Anatomica.

IAP
Abbreviation for intermittent acute porphyria.

-iasis
A condition or state, especially an unhealthy one; in medical neologisms it has the same value as, and is sometimes interchangeable with, -osis. [G. suffix forming nouns from verbs]

iatraliptic (i′a-tra-lip′tik)
Obsolete term denoting treatment by inunction. [G. iatros, physician, + aleiptes, an anointer]

iatraliptics (i′a-tra-lip′tiks)
Method of treatment by inunction.

iatric (i-at′rik)
Pertaining to medicine or to a physician or healer. [G. iatros, physician]

iatro-
Physicians, medicine, treatment. Cf.:medico-. [G. iatros, physician]

iatrochemical (i-at-ro-kem′i-kal)
Denoting a school of medicine practicing iatrochemistry.

iatrochemist (i-at-ro-kem′ist)
A member of the iatrochemical school.

iatrochemistry (i-at-ro-kem′is-tre)
The study of chemistry in relation to physiologic and pathologic processes, and the treatment of disease by chemical substance as practiced by a school of medical thought in the 17th century.

iatrogenic (i-at-ro-jen′ik)
Denoting response to medical or surgical treatment, induced by the treatment itself; usually used for unfavorable responses. [iatro- + G. -gen, producing]

iatrology (i-a-trol′o-je)
Rarely used term for medical science. [iatro- + G. logos, study]

iatromathematical (i-at′ro-math-e-mat′i-kal)
SYN: iatrophysical.

iatromechanical (i-at′ro-me-kan′i-kal)
SYN: iatrophysical.

iatrophysical (i-at′ro-fiz′i-kal)
Denoting a school of medical thought in the 17th century that explained all physiologic and pathologic phenomena by the laws of physics. SYN: iatromathematical, iatromechanical.

iatrophysicist (i-at′ro-fiz′-i-sist)
A member of the iatrophysical school.

iatrophysics (i-at′ro-fiz′iks)
Physics as applied to medicine.

iatrotechnique (i-at′ro-tek-nek′)
Rarely used term for the art of medicine and surgery; the technique or mode of application of medical science. [iatro- + G. techne, art]

IBC
Abbreviation for iron-binding capacity.

ibogaine (i′bo-gan)
Indole alkaloid of the iboga group. Obtained from several parts of the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga (family Apocynaceae). Used by African hunters to arrest movement of the hunter; hallucinogenic, antidepressant, and euphoric.

ibotenic acid (i′bo-ten-ik)
Chemical similar to kainic acid extracted from poisonous mushroom species Amanita muscaria and A. pantherina (family Agaricaceae). Exhibits substantial neuroexcitatory properties. Used in neuropharmacologic research.

ibuprofen (i-boo′pro-fen)
A propionic acid–derived, nonsteroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.

-ic
1. Suffix denoting of, pertaining to. 2. Chemical suffix denoting an element in a compound in one of its highest valencies. Cf.:-ous (1) . 3. Suffix indicating an acid. [L. -icus, fr. G. -ikos]

ICAM-1
Abbreviation for intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

iccosomes (i′ko-somz)
Beaded cytoplasmic structure on follicular dendrite cells; thought to be a repository for antigens. [immune complex coated + -some]

ICD
Abbreviation for International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization.

ICDA
Abbreviation for International Classification of Diseases, Adapted for Use in the United States; includes a classification of surgical operations and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

ice pack
A cold local application to limit or reduce swelling in recently traumatized tissues; usually in the form of a water-impervious container for ice. Improvised means for containing ice (plastic bags, towels, etc.) are often employed, as are chemical sacks that when struck allow the commingling of chemicals that react endothermically.

ICF
Abbreviation for intracellular fluid.

ichor (i′kor)
Rarely used term for a thin watery discharge from an ulcer or unhealthy wound. [G. i., serum]

ichoremia (i-ko-re′me-a)
SYN: ichorrhemia.

ichoroid (i′ko-royd)
Denoting a thin purulent discharge. [G. ichor, serum, + eidos, resemblance]

ichorous (i′kor-us)
Relating to or resembling ichor.

ichorrhea (i′ko-re′a)
A profuse ichorous discharge. [G. ichor, serum, + rhoia, a flow]

ichorrhemia (i-ko-re′me-a)
Sepsis resulting from infection accompanied by an ichorous discharge. SYN: ichoremia. [G. ichor, serum, + rhoia, a flow, + haima, blood]

ICHPPC
Abbreviation for International Classification of Health Problems in Primary Care.

ichthammol (ik′tham-mol)
A viscous fluid, reddish brown to brownish black in color, with a strong, characteristic, empyreumatic odor, soluble in water and in glycerin; obtained by the destructive distillation of certain bituminous schists, sulfonating the distillate and neutralizing the product with ammonia. It is used in skin disorders; its beneficial effect is due to its mild irritant, stimulant, antiseptic, and analgesic action; has been used in 10 and 20 percent concentration in an ointment (“drawing salve”). SYN: ammonium ichthosulfonate.

ichthyism (ik′thi-izm)
Poisoning by eating stale or otherwise unfit fish. SYN: ichthyismus. [G. ichthys, fish]

ichthyismus (ik-thi-iz′mus)
SYN: ichthyism. [G. ichthys, fish] i. exanthematicus toxic erythematous eruption due to ingestion of spoiled fish. i. hystrix SYN: bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma.

ichthyo-
Fish. [G. ichthys]

ichthyoacanthotoxism (ik′thi-o-a-kan′tho-tok′sizm)
Poisoning from the stings or spines of venomous fishes. [ichthyo- + G. akantha, thorn, + toxikon, poison]

ichthyocolla (ik-the-o-kol′a)
Fish gelatin obtained from sounds or swim bladders of fish such as the hake, cod, and sturgeon; used as a glue, a food substitute, and a clarifying agent. SYN: isinglass. [ichthyo- + G. kolla, glue]

ichthyohemotoxin (ik′the-o-he′mo-tok′sin)
The toxic substance in the blood of certain fishes. [ichthyo- + G. haima, blood, + toxikon, poison]

ichthyohemotoxism (ik′the-o-he′mo-tok′sizm)
Poisoning resulting from the ingestion of fish containing the toxic substance, ichthyohemotoxin.

ichthyoid (ik′the-oyd)
Fish-shaped. [ichthyo- + G. eidos, resemblance]

ichthyootoxin (ik′the-o-o-tok′sin)
Toxic substance restricted to the roe of fishes. [ichthyo- + G. oon, egg, + toxikon, poison]

ichthyophagous (ik-the-of′a-gus)
Fish-eating; subsisting on fish. [ichthyo- + G. phago, to eat]

ichthyophobia (ik′the-o-fo′be-a)
Morbid fear of fish. [ichthyo- + G. phobos, fear]

ichthyosarcotoxin (ik′the-o-sar′ko-tok′sin)
Toxic substance found in the flesh or organs of fishes. [ichthyo- + G. sarx, flesh, + toxikon, poison]

ichthyosarcotoxism (ik′the-o-sar′ko-tok′sizm)
Poisoning caused by the toxic substance (ichthyosarcotoxin) in the flesh or organs of fish. [ichthyo- + G. sarx, flesh, + toxikon, poison]

ichthyosis (ik-the-o′sis)

Congenital disorders of keratinization characterized by noninflammatory dryness and scaling of the skin, often associated with other defects and with abnormalities of lipid metabolism; distinguishable genetically, clinically, microscopically, and by epidermal cell kinetics, aka alligator skin, fish skin, sauriasis.
acquired i. a thickening and scaling of the skin associated with some malignant diseases ( e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma), leprosy, and severe nutritional deficiencies.
i. congenita, aka lamellar i..
i. congenita neonatorum generalized i. with parchmentlike skin seen in premature babies.
i. corneae an ocular complication of a congenital abnormality of the skin with corneal keratinization, dryness, and scaling.
i. fetalis, aka harlequin fetus, a recessive condition in Holstein and Norwegian red poll cattle resembling harlequin fetus in humans.
i. follicularis a form of autosomal dominant type of i., with horny follicular plugging of the extensor surfaces of the extremities; onset in early childhood.
harlequin i. [MIM*242500] a fetal form of i. thought to be distinct from lamellar i., with plaques having a diamondlike shape resembling the suit of a harlequin clown; the keratinocytes contain increased amounts of tonofibrils, which are fibrillar structural proteins; autosomal recessive inheritance.
i. hystrix: bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma. [G. hystrix, hedgehog]
lamellar i. [MIM*242300] a dry form of congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, characterized by ectropion and large, coarse scales over most of the body with thickened palms and soles; may be fatal with complications of sepsis, protein, and electrolyte loss in the first year of life; histology shows hyperkeratosis, a prominent granular layer in the epidermis, slight acanthosis, many mitotic figures, and normal or reduced epidemal cell turnover. Autosomal recessive inheritance, caused by mutation in the gene encoding keratinocyte transglutaminase (TGM1) on chromosome 14q. SEE ALSO: collodion baby, harlequin fetus. SYN: i. congenita.
i. linearis circumflexa congenital or infantile migratory polycyclic erythema and scaling that shows a peripheral double margin; persists throughout life and may be associated with trichorrhexis invaginata in Netherton syndrome [MIM*256500]; autosomal recessive inheritance.
nacreous i. a variant of i. characterized by dry pearly scales.
i. palmaris et plantaris SYN: palmoplantar keratoderma.
i. scutulata i. marked by diamond-shaped or shield-shaped lesions.
i. simplex SYN: i. vulgaris.
i. vulgaris [MIM*146700] an autosomal dominant trait, with onset in childhood of scales on the trunk and extremities but not on the flexural areas, and associated with atopy and prominent palmar and plantar markings; histologically, there is hyperkeratosis, absence of a granular layer in the epidermis, and normal epidermal cell turnover. SYN: hyperkeratosis congenita, i. simplex.
X-linked i. [MIM*308100] a form of i., with onset at birth or in early infancy and affecting males; characterized by scaling predominantly on the scalp, neck and trunk and progressing centripetally; the palms and soles are spared; histologic manifestations are hyperkeratosis, a granular layer in the epidermis, and normal epidermal cell turnover. X-linked recessive inheritance, caused by mutation in the steroid sulfatase gene (STS) on Xp. SYN: steroid sulfatase deficiency.

ichthyotic (ik-the-ot′ik)
Relating to ichthyosis.

ichthyotoxicology (ik′the-o-tok-si-kol′o-je)
The study of the poisons produced by fishes, and their recognition, effects, and antidotes. [ichthyo- + G. toxikon, poison, + logos, study]

ichthyotoxicon (ik-the-o-tok′si-kon)
A toxic principle in certain fishes. SYN: fish poison (1) . [ichthyo- + G. toxikon, poison]

ichthyotoxin (ik′the-o-tok′sin)
The hemolytic active principle of eel serum. [ichthyo- + G. toxicon, poison]

ichthyotoxism (ik′the-o-tok′sizm)
Poisoning by fish. [ichthyo- + G. toxikon, poison]

ICIDH
Abbreviation for International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps.

icosahedral (i′ko-sa-he′dral)
Having 20 equilateral triangular surfaces and 12 vertices, as do most viruses with cubic symmetry. [G. eikosi, twenty, + -edros, having sides or bases]

ICP
Abbreviation for intracranial pressure.

ICRP
Abbreviation for International Commission on Radiological Protection.

-ics
Organized knowledge, practice, treatment. [-ic + -s]

ICSH
Abbreviation of interstitial cell-stimulating hormone.

ictal (ik′tal)
Relating to or caused by a stroke or seizure. [L. ictus, a stroke]

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