Glossary Term - I
Alphabetical glossary of health & disability services, health terms and general MidCentral District Health Board information.
Immune system
This is what fights off infections. When you’re born, antibodies that are passed on protect you from your mum. As you grow older, you develop your own antibodies.
Incision
This is the medical word for the cut that the surgeon makes during an operation.
Industrial Relations
Infection Control
Information Systems
Inhaler or Nebulizer
Being able to breathe is very important but asthma can sometimes make it more difficult. If you have asthma, running about or eating certain foods can irritate your airways and make it harder for you to breathe. An inhaler is a special gadget that sprays medicine into your mouth. It help you to relax and breathe more easily.
Injection
This is when a substance is put into your body using a needle. There are different types of injection – including intravenous, intramuscular, intrathecal and subcutaneous.
Insurance
Intellectual Disability Services
Intensive Care Unit
The intensive care unit is sometimes called ICU. It's a special hospital ward where people are given lots of help from Doctors and nurses who have had -specialiased training.
Intestine
This is part of your digestive system. You have a large intestine (also called the colon) and a small intestine. They work together to squeeze food through to your bottom, absorbing liquid and goodness along the way.
Intramuscular
A type of injection that is given into a muscle.
Intrathecal
A type of injection that is given into the spaces between the bones in your spine.
Iris
This is the coloured part of your eye. It has a hold in the middle called your pupil.
Isotope
A kind of dye that shows up on x-rays and scans.
-itis
If a word ends in ‘-itis’, it means that a part of your body is inflamed. For example, cystitis means that your bladder is inflamed.
IV or Intravenous
An IV (intravenous) drip allows you to eat and drink without actually eating or drinking. Confused? Don't be, it's just a way of getting the nutrients your body needs into your system when you're unable to actually eat or drink. It's also a way of getting medicines into your system when you don't feel like eating or drinking.
Print this Page
Last Updated 17/10/2007