Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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IPV
Inactivated polio vaccine. The polio virus in IPV has been inactivated (killed). The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is also called the Salk vaccine after the late American physician-virologist Jonas Salk. The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are the IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) and the OPV (oral polio vaccine). IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) is given as a shot in the arm or leg.…
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IPT
Interpersonal therapy.
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Ipsilateral
On the same side, as opposed to contralateral. For example, a tumor involving the right side of the brain may affect vision ipsilaterally’that is, in the right eye.
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Ipecac
A naturally occurring substance with multiple properties including the ability to cause vomiting (emesis). Ipecac is derived from dried roots of a bush called Uragoga ipecacuanha that is native to Brazil. In the past, a sizable proportion of poison exposures in the U.S. were treated with ipecac. This practice has dropped off and some experts recommend that…
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IOP (intraocular pressure)
The pressure created by the continual renewal of fluids within the eye. The normal IOP varies among individuals. The intraocular pressure is increased in glaucoma. In acute angle-closure glaucoma, the intraocular pressure rises rapidly because the iris blocks the angle in the front of the eye where the anterior chamber fluid normally drains out. In chronic glaucoma, there is a gradual imbalance between the production…
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Iodine
An element in the diet that is essential for the manufacture of hormones by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroxine (T4), which has four iodine molecules attached to its structure, and triiodothyronine (T3), which has three iodine molecules attached. Iodine is found in seafood, bread, iodized salt, and seaweed.
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Involution
A retrograde change. After treatment, a tumor may involute; with advancing age, there may be physical and emotional involution.
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Involute
1. Literally, to turn inward or roll inward. 2. To decrease in size after an enlargement. The uterus involutes after pregnancy. The thymus involutes after adolescence. 3. To undergo a retrograde change. After treatment, a tumor may involute. 4. To shrink physically and emotionally with advancing age. From the Latin involutio, from in- meaning into + volvere meaning to roll.
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Involuntary
Done other than in accordance with the conscious will of the individual. The opposite of voluntary. The terms “voluntary” and “involuntary” apply to the human nervous system and its control over muscles. The nervous system is divided into two parts — somatic and autonomic. The somatic nervous system operates muscles that are under voluntary control. The autonomic (automatic…
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Invert
1) To turn inward. To invert the foot is to move its forepart toward the midline of the body. 2) To turn upside down or inside out. Inversion of the nipple can be normal or be a sign of an underlying tumor. 3) To reverse in position or order. A DNA sequence may be inverted. From the Latin invertere,…
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