Health Glossary

Demystifying medical language. Browse or search for clear, human-centered explanations of common medical terms.

Immune System

The interconnected network of cells, tissues, organs, and biological processes that protects the body from infectious agents, abnormal cells, and…
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Immunity

The body’s ability to recognize, respond to, and defend against harmful foreign substances and infectious agents. Immunity involves multiple components…
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Immunotherapy

Treatment that modifies, stimulates, suppresses, or otherwise harnesses the immune system to prevent or treat disease. Immunotherapy is used for…
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Infection

The entry, establishment, and multiplication or persistence of an infectious agent in a host. An infection occurs when an infectious…
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Infectious

Capable of being caused by, involving, or transmitted through an infectious agent. The word infectious describes something related to an…
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Inflammation

A protective biological response of the body’s tissues to harmful stimuli, involving coordinated changes in blood vessels, immune cells, and…
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Influenza

Influenza is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Influenza primarily affects the respiratory tract and commonly causes sudden…
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Injectable

Injectable describes a medicine or preparation formulated to be administered by injection. Injectable medicines are administered using a needle or…
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Inner Ear

The inner ear is the innermost part of the ear, containing structures responsible for hearing, balance, and spatial orientation. It…
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Insulin

A hormone that helps regulate blood glucose by promoting the movement of glucose from the blood into cells and supporting…
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Ionize

To cause an atom or molecule to gain or lose one or more electrons, producing an electrically charged particle called…
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