Dictionary

infantile paralysis See polio.

infarct An area of tissue death that is due to a local lack of oxygen.

infarction The formation of an infarct, an area of tissue death, due to a local lack of oxygen.

infarction, acute myocardial See heart attack.

infection The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body. An infection may cause no symptoms and be subclinical, or it may cause symptoms and be clinically apparent. An infection may remain localized, or it may spread through the blood or lymphatic vessels to…

infection, ear See also ear infection.

infection, group B strep See streptococcus, group B.

infection, middle ear See acute otitis media.

infection, opportunistic An infection that grasps the opportunity to cause disease, which is presented when a person’s immune system is weak. These opportunistic microorganisms may be dormant in the body and may cause few problems for healthy individuals. Opportunistic infections are a particular problem for organ transplant patients and those with diseases that affect the…

in situ, carcinoma See carcinoma in situ.

in situ hybridization The use of a DNA or RNA probe to detect complementary genetic material in cells or tissue. In situ hybridization involves hybridizing a labeled nucleic acid to suitably prepared cells or tissues on microscope slides to allow visualization in situ (in the normal location).

in vitro In glass, as in a test tube. An in vitro test is one that is done in glass or plastic vessels in the laboratory. In vitro is the opposite of in vivo.