Medical Terminology: The Lymphatic and Immune Systems

Flashcards about the lymphatic and immune systems.

Adenoids

Small masses of lymphoid tissue located posterior to the nasal cavity; when infected, can become enlarged and interfere with breathing

Antibody

A special kind of protein that the body produces to destroy or inactivate an antigen

Antigen

A specific substance that, when introduced into the body, stimulates the production of an antibody

Autoimmune disorder

A disorder that arises when the immune system fails to differentiate between “self” and “non-self” cells, causing the body to attack its own cells and tissues

Immune system

Network of organs, tissues, and cells that work together to protect the body from disease-causing pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and cancer cells

Immunologist

Physician who specializes in the study and treatment of diseases and disorders of the immune system

Immunology

The study of the immune system

Lymph

A clear or milky-white fluid that contains lymphocytes, specialized leukocytes (white blood cells) that protect the body from infection and disease; lymphatic fluid

Lymphatic system

Body system that works with the immune system to filter and destroy dead blood cells, particulate waste, and pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and cancer cells

Lymphocytes

Specialized leukocytes (white blood cells) that protect the body from infection and disease by attacking foreign substances in the blood

Nonspecific immunity

General protection provided by the immune system against many different types of pathogens

Pathogen

A microorganism capable of causing disease; examples include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, toxins, and cancer cells

Phagocyte

A specialized type of disease-fighting cell that engulfs and destroys bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in the body

Specific immunity

The ability of the body to recognize and respond to a specific pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus

Spleen

The organ above the stomach that contains infection-fighting leukocytes, controls the amount of blood in the body, and destroys old or damaged red blood cells

Thymus

Small, butterfly-shaped gland in the upper chest beneath the sternum (breastbone); receives specialized leukocytes called T lymphocytes (T cells) from the bone marrow

Tonsils

Two small, oval-shaped tissue masses that lie at the back of the pharynx (throat); protect the body from infection by trapping pathogens that enter through the mouth or nose

auto-

Self

hyper-

above; above normal

inter-

between

intra-

Within

aden/o

Gland

adenoid/o

Adenoids

angi/o

Vessel

cyt/o

Cell

immun/o

Protection

leuk/o

White

lymph/o

Lymph

path/o

Disease

phag/o

Eat; swallow; engulf

splen/o

Spleen

thym/o

Thymus

tonsill/o

Tonsils

-ac

Pertaining to

-ar

Pertaining to

-atic

Pertaining to

-cyte

Cell

-ectomy

Surgical removal; excision

-edema

Swelling

-gen

producing; originating; causing

-ic

Pertaining to

-itis

Inflammation

-logist

Specialist in the study and treatment of

-logy

Study of

-malacia

Softening

-megaly

Enlargement

-oid

Like; resembling

-oma

Tumor; mass

-osis

Abnormal condition

-pathy

Disease

-pexy

Surgical fixation

-rrhaphy

Suture

-trophy

Development

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the body’s infection-fighting helper T cells

Allergy

Hypersensitive response by the immune system to an allergen, a substance usually recognized by the body as harmless

Asthma

Disorder that causes the bronchi (tubes that conduct air into the lungs) to narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus

Hodgkin’s disease (Hodgkin lymphoma)

Form of malignant lymphoma; painless, progressive enlargement of lymphoid tissue

Mononucleosis (mono)

Viral infection characterized by enlarged lymph nodes, atypical lymphocytes, pharyngitis, fever, splenomegaly, and severe fatigue

Sarcoidosis

Inflammatory disease that can affect almost any body part, but most commonly affects the lungs; characterized by chest pain, dry cough, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), fatigue, fever, and arthralgia (joint pain)

Tonsillitis

Inflammation of the tonsils caused by bacterial or viral infection

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Laboratory test in which a blood sample is drawn and examined for the presence of antibodies; used to screen for exposure to infection

Immunization

Vaccination that provides immunity against disease-causing pathogens without inducing infection

Scratch test

Skin test used to identify the substance that is causing an allergy

Splenectomy

Surgical removal of a diseased or damaged spleen

Tonsillectomy

Surgical removal of the tonsils

Western blot test

Laboratory blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to specific antigens; confirmatory test for HIV

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AIHA

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

CT

Computerized tomography

ELISA

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

MONO

Mononucleosis

MS

Multiple sclerosis

RA

Rheumatoid arthritis

SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus