Ilieum
The final and longest section of the small intestine. It is attached to the colon.
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.
Immunisation
All the injections you’re given when you’re growing up
are designed to protect you against diseases. Before immunisation,
children often died from diseases like diptheria or polio. It’s
important that you have all your immunisations at the right time. Some
of them are given as a series of injections, where you have one when
you’re a baby and then others as ‘boosters’.
Incontinent
The term used to describe somebody who has an inability to control the release of urine from their body.
Incision
This is the medical word for the cut that the surgeon makes during an operation.
Incubator
This is a device used to care for babies, especially
those that are born early. The incubator does this by allowing health
professionals to control the temperature, humidity and oxygen around the
baby.
Infant
In medical terms, this is a baby up to a year old.
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.
Inheritance
This is how genes pass on characteristics from your mum
and dad to you. When red hair ‘runs in the family’, this means it has
been passed on to you through your parents’ genes. Characteristics can
also ‘jump’ generations, your parents may not have red hair, but maybe
your granddad did! Certain diseases are also passed on from your
parents. There are different kinds of inheritance – some kinds means
you’re more likely to inherit and disease; others mean you have a
reduced chance.
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.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. The body
releases insulin to help it store glucose (a form of sugar) received
from food. People with diabetes often need to inject insulin as their
body does not correctly control its output of the hormone.
Intensive care
The intensive care unit is sometimes called PICU or ICU.
It's a special hospital ward where children are given lots of help.
Doctors and nurses who have had extra-special training treat them.
Internal defibrillator
This is a small device that is inserted into the chest
to monitor the heart’s rhythm. It can also control the pace of the
heart’s beating by delivering small electric shocks.
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.
