Ch 7.2 Lymphatic and Immune Systems

Lymph fluid

aka lymph, fluid found within the lymph system; once interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic system it becomes lymph

Lymph capillaries

microscopic lymph vessels located in the interstital space between body cells and within the cardiovascular capillary beds, absorb excess interstital fluid, excess proteins, and waste

Lymph vessel

an extensive network of tubes that transport lymph through the lymphatic system

Lymph nodes

aka lymph glands, oval shaped structures located along lymph vessels, filter foreign substances (pathogens, toxins, cancer cells) and waste products of cellular metabolism from lymph

Lact/o

milk

Lymph ducts

the two great lymphatic vessels (right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct) that return the fluid to the veinous circulatory system

Axillary lymph nodes

lymph nodes located in the axillae/armpits

Axillary

pertaining to the armpits

Cervical lymph nodes

lymph nodes located in the cervical region

Cervical

pertaining to the neck

Inguinal lymph nodes

lymph nodes in the inguinal/groin area

Mediastinal lymph nodes

lymph nodes in the mediastinum

Mediastinum

the central cavity of the chest between the lungs

Mesenteric lymph nodes

lymph glands located in the mesentery

Mesentery

a curtain-like layer of visceral peritoneum that anchors sections of the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall

Tonsil

any of the four lymphoid tissues within the walls of the nasopharynx or oropharynx

Lymphoid

tissues, organs (lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus) or cells (lymphocytes) associated with the lymphatic system

Pharyngeal tonsil

aka adenoid, a single lymphoid mass located in the superior nasopharynx; adenoid is often used to describe chronic hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil

Thymus

located in the mediastinum above the heart, essential for proper development of the immune system, especially in childhood, it modifies lymphocytes to become T lymphocytes

Spleen

optimizes immune response as a warehouse to long-lived memory B cells generated by vaccines

Intracellular fluid

fluid inside a cell

Intravascular fluid

fluid inside a vessel, blood or lymph

Extracellular fluid

any fluid that exists outside of cells

Interstitial fluid

fluid that exists between cells

Immune

the state of being protected from specific infections and disease

Innate nonspecific immunity

the physical and chemical barriers, structures that act like walls or pits filled with toxic chemicals (the skin, mucous membranes, gastric acids)

Innate specific immunity

the cells, chemicals, and inflammatory processes that act like guard dogs that are programmed to attack any pathogen that enters, but cannot be modified to target specific pathogens

Passive adaptive immunity

the body receives antibodies produced by another human or animal

Active adaptive immunity

the body makes its own antibodies in response to a foreign antigen

Humoral

pertaining to fluid

Antigen

an identfying marker on a cell/organism

Autoimmune disorder

an immune reaction directed against a person’s own tissue; the body targets one’s own antibodies as foreign

Antibody/immunoglobulin

a protein molecule made by plasma B cells in response to a foreign antigen; each antibody is unique and attacks one specific type of foreign invader

Normal body flora

generally harmless microorganisms that exist on the skin or in the GI tract

Nosocomial infection

an infection acquired while in a hospital/healthcare setting

Bacteria

a single celled microscopic organism bound by a membrane that has organelles but no nucleus

Toxin

poison

Toxin

a poisonous substance formed by a cell or organism, it disrupts normal human cell function

Mutation

a permanent change from the original cell’s DNA/genetic code to a different and often less specialized

B lymphocytes

antibody producing cells of the body

T lymphocytes

lymphocyte cells that have differentiated in the thymus

Memory cells

specialized T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes that provide long term immunity

Aden/o

gland

Edema

excessive accumulation of serous fluid between cells within tissues (fluid retention)

Lymphadenitis

inflammation and/or infection of a lymph node

Lymphadenopathy

a general term for any disease of the lymph nodes

Lymphaden/o

lymph node

Lymphangi/o

lymph vessel

Lymphedema

accumulation of fluid within tissue that causes swelling due to obstruction of lymphatic flow

Tonsillitis

infection of a tonsil

Megaly

abnormally enlarged

Contagious

an infection that can be easily transmitted from person to person

Immunosuppression

the active suppression of the immune system (by an immunosuppressant) thus weakening the immune systtem and reducing its abbility to fight off infections and diseases

Opportunistic infection

an infection caused by a pathogenic organism because the host has lowered resistance/is immunocompromised

Allergen

an antigen/a substance that causes a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction

Anaphylaxis

a severe hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction that is life threatening

Histamine

a compound released from cells because of injury or an allergic immune response, causes: vasodilation, increases secretions, itching, tissue swelling

Hypersensitivity

an excessive immune response to a substance (antigen) that typically does not cause a reaction in most people

Urticaria

hives; a rash of swollen, pale-red raised lesions called wheals that induce itching

Immunology

the study of/specialist in the immune system and its disorders

Attenuate

to weaken; attenuated vaccines are made from weakened strains or structures of a pathogen

Immunize

to make immune; to make one resistant to an infectious disease artifically via vaccination or naturally vis recovering from an infection

Vaccine

a preparation that generates active immunity by stimulating the body to produce antibodies

Ectomy

surgical excision

Lymph node biopsy

the removal of a piece of a lymph node for examination; typically to diagnose infections, lymphomas, etc

Splenectomy

surgical excision/removal of the spleen

Antihistamine

an agent that blocks/inhibits histamines; treats allergic symptoms by its antagonistic action which blocks histamine receptors

Antipruritic

an agent that relieves itching