Category: Ia-In

Within a cell. In contrast to extracellular, meaning outside a cell.

The long, tubelike organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. It consists of the small and large intestines.

A parasite (an organism that lives in or on and takes its nourishment from another organism) in the intestinal tract. Intestinal parasites include both helminths and protozoa. Helminths are worms such as tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms. All of these worms can live, but typically not reproduce, inside the human intestine. In contrast to worms, which are composed of…

Blockage of the intestine by infolding (intussusception), malformation, tumor, digestive problems, a foreign body, or inflammation. Symptoms can include crampy abdominal pain, lack of ability to eliminate normal feces, and eventually shock. On examining the abdomen, the doctor may feel a mass. Abdominal X-rays may suggest intestinal obstruction, but a barium enema may be needed to show the actual cause. Treatment…

Interventional radiologists employ image guidance methods to gain access to the deep interstices of most organs and organ systems. Through a galaxy of techniques, they can treat certain conditions percutaneously (through the skin) that might otherwise require surgery. (The technology includes the use of balloons, catheters, microcatheters, stents, therapeutic embolization (deliberately clogging up a blood vessel), etc.) The…

Pertaining to the act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modifying the outcome.

The act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modifying the outcome. In medicine, an intervention is usually undertaken to help treat or cure a condition. For example, early intervention may help children with autism to speak. “Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States,” according to the National Institutes of Health.…

Part of a gene that is initially transcribed from the DNA into the primary RNA transcript but then is excised (removed) from it when the so-called exons sequences on either side of it are spliced together. Intervening sequences, which are also called introns, are genetic sequences that intervene between the exons. The DNA of a…

Disease that involves inflammation or irritation of the bladder wall. This inflammation can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder, and even ulcerations and bleeding. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, findings on cystoscopy and biopsy, and eliminating other treatable causes such as infection. Because doctors do not know what causes interstitial cystitis, treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Most…

Pertaining to being between things, especially between things that are normally closely spaced. The word interstitial is much used in medicine and has specific meaning, depending on the context. For instance, interstitial cystitis is a specific type of inflammation of the bladder wall. Interstitial radiation involves placing radioactive material directly into a tumor. Interstitial pneumonia is inflammation of the lung that involves the mesh of…