| A | B |
|---|
| ice bag/collar | plastic or rubber device filled with ice to provide dry-cold application. |
| idiopathic | without recognizable cause; self-originating |
| ileostomy | a surgical opening connecting the ileum and the abdominal wall. |
| ileum | final section of small intestine; connects the jejunum and large intestine. |
| immunity | condition of being protected against a particular disease. |
| impaction | large, hard mass of fecal material lodged in the intestine or rectum; a tooth that does not erupt into the mouth. |
| impression | negative reproduction of a tooth or dental arch. |
| incisal surface | the cutting or biting surface of anterior teeth. |
| incision | cut or wound of body tissue caused by a sharp object; a surgical cut. |
| incisors | teeth located in the front and center of the mouth; used to cut food. |
| income | total amount of money received in a given period; salary is usually the main source. |
| incontinent | unable to voluntarily control urination or defecation |
| index | to put names in proper order for filing. |
| infancy | period of development from birth to one year of age. |
| infection | invasion by organisms; contamination by disease-producing organisms, or pathogens. |
| inferior | below; under. |
| inflammation | tissue reaction to injury characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain. |
| informed consent | permission granted voluntarily by a person who is of sound mind and aware of all factors involved. |
| inguinal | pertaining to the region of the body where the thighs join the trunk; the groin. |
| inhalation | breathing in. |
| initiative | ability to begin or follow through with a plan or task; determination. |
| input | computer term for information that is entered into a computer. |
| inquiry | search for information. |
| insertion | end or area of a muscle that moves when the muscle contracts. |
| inside address | that section of letter that contains the name and address of the person or firm to whom the letter is being sent. |
| inspiration | breathing in; taking air into the lungs. |
| insulin shock | condition that occurs in diabetics when there is an excess amount of insulin and a low level of glucose in the blood. |
| insurance form | a form used to apply for payment by an insurance company. |
| intake and output (I & O) | a record that notes all fluids taken in or eliminated by a person in a given period of time. |
| integumentary | pertaining to the skin or a covering. |
| interactive video | the color, sound, and motion of video technology integrated with computer-assisted instruction to create a new technology. |
| intercostal | pertaining to the space between the ribs (costae). |
| interproximal space | the area between two adjoining teeth. |
| intestine | that portion of the alimentary canal from the stomach to the rectum and anus. |
| intradermal | inserted or put into the skin. |
| intramuscular | injected or put into a muscle. |
| intravenous | injected or put into a vein. |
| intubate | to insert a tube. |
| invasion of privacy | revealing personal information about a person without his or her consent. |
| invasive | pertains to a test or procedure that involves penetrating or entering the body. |
| inversion | turning a body part inward. |
| involuntary | independent action not controlled by choice or desire. |
| iris | colored portion of the eye; composed of muscular, or contractile, tissue that regulates the size of the pupil. |
| ischemia | inadequate blood flow to the body tissues caused by an obstruction in circulation. |
| isolation | method of technique of caring for persons who have communicable diseases. |
| jackknife position | the patient lies on the abdomen with both the head and legs inclined downward and the rectal area elevated. |
| jaundice | yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes, frequently caused by liver or gallbladder disease. |
| jejunum | the middle section of the small intestine; connects the duodenum and ileum. |
| job interview | a face-to-face meeting or conversation between an employer and an applicant for a job. |
| joint | an articulation, or area where two bones meet or join. |
| kcal-controlled diet | diet containing low-calorie foods; frequently prescribed for weight loss. |
| kidney | bean-shaped organ that excretes urine; located high and in back of the abdominal cavity. |
| kilocalorie | unit used to measure the energy value of food. |
| kilojoule | metric unit used to measure the energy value of food. |
| knee-chest position | the patient rests his or her body weight on the knees and chest; used for sigmoidoscopic and rectal examinations. |
| labia majora | two large folds of adipose tissue lying on each side of the vulva in the female; hairy outer lips. |
| labia minora | two folds of membrane lying inside the labia majora; hairless inner lips. |
| labial surface | crown surface of the anterior teeth that lies next to the lips; facial surface of the anterior teeth. |
| laboratory | a room or building where scientific tests, research, experiments, or learning takes place. |
| laceration | wound or injury with jagged, irregular edges. |
| lacrimal | pertaining to tears; glands that secrete and expel tears. |
| lactation | process of secreting milk. |
| lacteal | specialized lymphatic capillary that picks up digested fats or lipids in the small intestine and transports them to the thoracic duct. |
| lancet | sharp, pointed instrument used to pierce the skin to obtain blood. |
| laryngeal mirror | instrument with a mirror, used to examine the larynx. |
| late adulthood | period of development beginning at 65 years of age and ending at death. |
| late childhood | period of development from 6 to 12 years of age. |
| lateral | pertaining to the side. |
| lead | an angle or view of the heart that is recorded in an electrocardiogram. |
| leadership | ability to lead, guide, and direct others. |
| ledger card | a card or record that shows a financial account of money charged, received, or paid out. |
| left lateral position | See "Sims' position." |
| legal | authorized or based on law |
| legal disability | a condition in which a person does not have legal capacity and is therefore unable to enter into a legal agreement (e.g., as is the case with a minor). |
| lens | crystalline structure suspended behind the pupil of the eye; refracts or bends light rays onto the retina; also, the magnifying glass in a microscope. |
| lethargy | abnormal drowsiness or sluggishness; state of indifference or stupor. |
| letterhead | preprinted heading at the top of paper used for written correspondence. |
| leukocyte | white blood cell (WBC). |
| leukocyte count | blood test that counts the total number of white blood cells (normally 5,000 to 10,000 per cubic millimeter of blood). |
| libel | false written statement that causes a person ridicule or contempt or causes damage to the person's reputation. |
| licensure | process by which a government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation. |
| life stages | stages of growth and development experienced by an individual from birth to death. |
| ligament | fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone. |
| light diet | also called a "convalescent diet"; diet that contains easy-to-digest foods. |
| line angle | area on crown surfaces of a tooth formed by a line drawn between two surfaces. |
| liner | dental material that covers or lines exposed tooth tissue, usually in the form of a varnish. |
| lingual surface | the crown surface of teeth that is next to the tongue. |
| listen | to pay attention, make an effort to hear. |
| living will | a legal document stating a person's desires on what measures should or should not be taken to prolong life when his or her condition is terminal. |
| low-cholesterol diet | diet that restricts foods high in saturated fat. |
| low-protein diet | diet that limits foods high in protein. |
| low-residue diet | diet that limits foods containing large amounts of residue, or indigestibles. |
| low-speed handpiece | slower handpiece in dental units; used to remove caries and for fine finishing work. |
| lung | organ of respiration located in the thoracic cavity. |
| lymph | fluid formed in body tissues and circulated in the lymphatic vessels. |
| lymph node | a round body of lymph tissue that filters lymph. |
| lymphatic duct | short tube that drains purified lymph from the right sides of the head and neck and the right arm. |
| lymphatic vessels | thin-walled vessels that carry lymph from tissues. |
| lysosomes | those structures in the cytoplasm of a cell that contain digestive enzymes to digest and destroy old cells, bacteria, and foreign matter. |
