Glossary "I"

ICHTHYOSIS (ik THEE OH sis):
A hereditary disorder of keratinization in which the skin has dry fish-like scales.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Intricate mix of cellular, molecular, and antibody components that protects the body against invaders.

IMMUNODERM-ATOLOGY (im MU no DUR muh TOL oh jee):
The science that studies dermatologic diseases involving the immune system.

INFANTILE ACNE:
Begins between the 3rd and 6th month of life, papules, pustules, nodules and possible scarring; may persist until the ages of five years or longer; more prevalent in males; may be a sign of severe acne in the future.

INFLAMMATION:
A condition of the skin characterized by: fever or increased local temperature, redness (erythema), edema (swelling), pain or itching and failure of function of that body part or system.

INFRAINFUNDIBULUM (IN frah IN fun DIB you lum):
The lower section of the infundibulum.

INFUNDIBULUM (IN fun DIB you lum):
Section of the sebaceous follicle that extends from the opening of the follicle on the skin surface to the first sebaceous duct.

INGUINAL CREASE (groin):
The crease between the torso and the thigh.

INTERTRIGINOUS (IN tur TRIH gin us):
Body fold areas in which there is skin-to-skin contact.

INTRACONAZOLE:
An oral medication for the treatment of fungus and/or yeast infections.

INTRAMUSCULAR (IN trah MUSS cue lar):
When referring to routes of administration of systemic medications, infecting a medication directly into the muscle tissue.

INTRAVENOUS (IN trah VEE nus):
When referring to routes of administration of systemic medications, injecting a medication directly into a vein.

IN VITRO (in VEE troh):
From the Latin meaning "in glass." Used to refer to laboratory studies performed, for example, in the test tube or culture dish.

IN VIVO (in VEE voh):
From the Latin meaning "in the living body." In vivo studies are conducted using animals.

INTERCELLULAR LIPID (IN tur SELL you lar LIP id):
Also referred to as intercellular cement. Secreted by the lamellar granules, these lipids pool in the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum, where they act like mortar to hold together the brick-like corneocytes of the stratum corneum.

INTERCELLULAR SPACE:
The area around and between the corneocytes where the intercellular lipids pool.

INTERTRIGINOUS:
The creases of the body at the joints -- neck, underarms (axilla), in front of the elbow (antecubital fossa), in the groin (inguinal crease), behind the knee (popliteal fossa) and under the fat folds of the abdomen in the obese.

INTERTRIGO (IN tur TRIH go):
Inflammatory dermatosis affecting the body folds. Results from skin rubbing against skin in combination with heat and moisture.

INTRALESIONAL (IN trah LEE zhun al):
When referring to routes of administration of medications, injecting a medication directly into a skin lesion.

INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG APPLICATION:
The document filed with the FDA before human testing of a new drug can begin.

IRITIS (eye RYE tis):
Inflammation of the iris of the eye.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (EYE so PRO pul):
A component in rubbing alcohol, which is 68% to 72% isopropyl alcohol in water. Used as an ingredient in various topical preparations.

ISOTRETINOIN (EYE so TRET ih no in ):
13-cis-retinoic acid. A systemic retinoid used in the treatment of severe recalcitrant cystic acne.

ITCH:
The sensation that gives one the urge to scratch.

ITRACONAZOLE:
An oral medication for the treatment of fungus and/or yeast infections.

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