Medical Glossary

Terms starting with I

IatrogenicIatrogen: Iatrogenic describes complaints or damage caused by medical treatment itself. This refers, for example, to side effects of medications or the consequences of a procedure. The term does not imply any judgement, but merely describes the cause.
IcterusIkterus: Icterus is the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes and the whites of the eyes due to an increased level of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood. Common causes are diseases of the liver or the bile ducts, or an increased breakdown of red blood cells.
IdiopathicIdiopathisch: Idiopathic describes a disease whose cause is unknown. It therefore occurs without any identifiable trigger. The term is used when no reason can be found despite investigation.
Ileus: An ileus is an intestinal obstruction in which the intestinal contents are no longer moved onward. The cause can be a mechanical blockage or a paralysis of bowel movement. It is a medical emergency.
Immune systemImmunsystem: The immune system is the body's own defence against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. It comprises white blood cells, antibodies, lymph nodes and other organs. It distinguishes between the body's own structures and foreign ones.
ImmunityImmunität: Immunity is the body's resistance to a particular pathogen. It can develop through an infection that has been overcome or through a vaccination. A distinction is made between innate and acquired immunity.
ImmunizationImmunisierung: Immunisation is the building up of protection against a particular pathogen. With active immunisation, the body produces antibodies itself after a vaccination; with passive immunisation, ready-made antibodies are supplied. The aim is protection against illness.
ImmunoglobulinImmunglobulin: Immunoglobulins are proteins produced by the immune system in order to recognise pathogens and render them harmless. They are also called antibodies. There are various classes with different tasks.
ImmunohistochemistryImmunhistochemie: Immunohistochemistry is a laboratory technique used to make certain proteins visible in tissue samples. It helps to classify tumours more precisely. For this purpose, antibodies with a colour marker are used.
ImmunosuppressionImmunsuppression: Immunosuppression refers to a suppression or weakening of the body's own defences. It can be brought about deliberately with medication, for example after an organ transplant, or it can be the consequence of an illness. Those affected are more susceptible to infections.
ImplantImplantat: An implant is an artificial material or device that is placed in the body permanently or for a longer period of time. Examples are artificial joints, dental implants or a pacemaker. It replaces or supports a bodily function.
ImpotenceImpotenz: Impotence refers to the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. The causes can be physical, psychological or a combination of both. In medical terms, this is usually referred to as erectile dysfunction.
IncidenceInzidenz: Incidence indicates how many people newly develop a disease within a particular period of time. It is an important measure in disease statistics. It should be distinguished from prevalence, which counts all existing cases.
IncontinenceInkontinenz: Incontinence is the inability to reliably hold back urine or stool. Depending on the area affected, a distinction is made between urinary incontinence and faecal incontinence. Causes include weakened sphincter muscles or nerve damage.
Incubation periodInkubationszeit: The incubation period is the time between becoming infected and the appearance of the first signs of illness. It differs from one pathogen to another. During this phase, those affected may already be contagious.
IndicationIndikation: The indication is the medical reason that makes a particular examination or treatment sensible and necessary. It describes when a procedure is appropriate. The opposite is the contraindication.
Indolent: In medicine, indolent describes a painless condition or a very slowly progressing course of disease. An indolent tumour, for example, grows only sluggishly. The term says nothing about whether it is benign or malignant.
InfarctionInfarkt: An infarction is the death of tissue because its blood supply is suddenly interrupted. Well known are the heart attack and the cerebral infarction. The cause is usually a blocked blood vessel.
InfectiologyInfektiologie: Infectious disease medicine is the medical specialty concerned with infectious diseases. It covers their detection, treatment and prevention. Specialists also advise on the appropriate use of antibiotics.
InfectionInfektion: An infection is the entry and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi in the body. It can remain locally limited or spread. Not every infection necessarily leads to symptoms.
Infiltration: Infiltration refers to the penetration of cells, fluid or an active substance into a tissue. In cancer medicine, it means the growth of tumour cells into surrounding tissue. As a procedure, the term also describes the injection of a medicine into a particular area.
Inflammation: Inflammation is the technical term for an inflammatory reaction. It is the body's defensive response to stimuli such as pathogens, injuries or foreign substances. Typical signs are redness, warmth, swelling and pain.
Infusion: During an infusion, a fluid is slowly delivered into the body through a vein. In this way, fluids, nutrients or medicines can be supplied. It is usually given through a thin plastic tube (line).
Inhalation: With inhalation, active substances or moist air are breathed in so that they act directly on the airways. It is frequently used for asthma or other lung diseases. Sprays, nebulisers or powders are used for this purpose.
Inhalation anesthesiaInhalationsanästhesie: With inhalation anaesthesia, general anaesthesia is achieved and maintained by breathing in anaesthetic gases. It is frequently used during operations. The depth of anaesthesia can be controlled through the supply of gas.
InjectionInjektion: An injection is the introduction of a fluid using a syringe, for example under the skin, into a muscle or into a vein. Medicines or vaccines are administered in this way. In everyday language, people speak of a «jab» or shot.
InsomniaInsomnie: Insomnia refers to persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite having sufficient opportunity to sleep. Those affected feel tired during the day and are less able to perform. The causes may be physical or psychological.
InsufficiencyInsuffizienz: Insufficiency means that an organ can no longer perform its function adequately. Examples are heart failure or kidney failure. The term describes a functional weakness.
Insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers the sugar level in the blood. It enables the body's cells to take up and use sugar. In diabetes, the action or production of insulin is disturbed.
Intensive care unitIntensivstation: The intensive care unit is a hospital area for monitoring and treating severely ill or life-threateningly ill people. Vital functions such as breathing and circulation are continuously monitored and supported there. It is often abbreviated as IPS.
InterdisciplinaryInterdisziplinär: Interdisciplinary means that several specialties work together. In medicine, for example, experts from different fields confer on the best treatment. Such meetings are often called a tumour board or case conference.
Intervention: An intervention is a targeted medical procedure carried out for treatment. This may be an operation, but also a procedure performed via a catheter. In general, the term covers active treatment measures.
IntracranialIntrakraniell: Intracranial means located inside the skull. The term describes, for example, bleeding or pressure within the skull. It distinguishes processes inside the skull from those outside it.
IntramuscularIntramuskulär: Intramuscular means that a medicine is injected into a muscle. Commonly used sites are the upper arm or the buttock. From there, the active substance is absorbed into the bloodstream.
IntravenousIntravenös: Intravenous means that a medicine or fluid is given directly into a vein. In this way the substance takes effect particularly quickly. The abbreviation for this is i.v.
Intubation: During intubation, a tube is inserted into the windpipe to keep the airway open. It is often necessary for artificial ventilation, for example during general anaesthesia. The procedure is carried out by trained specialist staff.
IschemiaIschämie: Ischaemia refers to an insufficient blood supply to a tissue, which therefore receives too little oxygen. If it persists, the tissue can be damaged or die off. It is the basis of heart attack and stroke.
Isolation: In medicine, isolation means the physical separation of contagious patients in order to prevent the transmission of pathogens. It is ordered for certain infectious diseases. Special hygiene rules then also apply.
VaccinationImpfung: A vaccination stimulates the immune system to build up protection against a particular pathogen without having to go through the illness itself. For this purpose, weakened, killed or reconstructed components of the pathogen are administered. In this way, a later infection can be mitigated or prevented.