Dictionary

immune Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

imagery 1 A mental process that involves thoughts representing sensory qualities. 2 A wide variety of procedures used in therapy to encourage changes in attitudes, behavior, or physiological reactions. Imagery includes all the senses, including visual, aural, tactile, olfactory, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic. Imagery has been used as a strategy for facilitating weight gain and alleviating…

IM Intramuscular.

illness, chronic An illness that has persisted for a long period of time. Chronic illness is a continuing disease process.

illness, altitude See altitude sickness.

illness, acute An illness with an abrupt onset and usually a short course.

ilium The upper part of the pelvic bone, which forms the receptacle of the hip.

iliac horns A horn-like malformation on the crest of each of the iliac bones of the pelvis, a characteristic finding in nail-patella syndrome. See also nail-patella syndrome.

iliac Pertaining to the ilium.

ileus, paralytic See ileus.

ileus, meconium Obstruction of the intestine due to overly thick meconium, a dark, sticky substance that is normally present in the intestine at birth. Meconium is passed in the feces after birth, after trypsin and other enzymes from the pancreas have acted on it. Meconium ileus occurs when the infant has a deficiency of trypsin…

ileus Obstruction of the intestine due to its being paralyzed. The paralysis does not need to be complete to cause ileus, but the intestine must be so inactive that food cannot pass through it, which leads to blockage of the intestine. Ileus commonly follows some types of surgery. It can also result from certain drugs,…