Unit 9-11, 13, 15-17 Vocabulary

cholesterol

component of the cell membrane. produced and processed in the liver; essential for the formation of steroid hormones. taken in by dietary sources

hematopoiesis

the formation of blood cells

immunocompetence

normal immune system function

neutropenia

low neutrophil count

immunostimulants

drugs that stimulate immune function to fight infection and disease

anticoagulants

drugs that prevent formation of new clots and extension of clots already present; do not dissolve formed clots

embolus

object that migrates through the circulation until it lodges in a blood vessel, causing occlusion; i.e. a thrombus, fat, air, amniotic fluid, a bit of tissue, or bacterial debris

hemostasis

prevention or stoppage of blood loss from an injured blood vessel and is the process that maintains the integrity of the vascular compartment

dyslipidemia

abnormal lipid levels in the blood; associated with artherosclerosis

erythropoietin

hormone scereted by the kidneys that stimulates bone marrow production of red blood cells

thrombogenesis

formation of a blood clot

antiplatelets

drugs that prevent one or more steps in the prothrombotic activity of platelets

lipoproteins

specific proteins in plasma that transport blood lipids; contain cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride bound to protein. they vary in density and amounts of lipid and protein

cytokines

small proteins released by cells that specifically affect cell-to-cell communication; these include colony-stimulating factors, interleukins, and interferons

thrombolytics

drugs that dissolve blood clots

immunodeficiency 

inadequate or impaired immune function

fibrinolysin

enzyme that breaks down the fibrin meshwork that stabilizes blood clots; also referred to as plasmin

thrombolysis

breakdown or dissolution of blood clots

NSAIDs

medications that inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins; used to prevent and treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation; example: ibuprofen

inflammation

immunologic response to allergy, infection, or injury that increases the migration of leukocytes and blood flow to assist in repairing tissues

corticosteroids

steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex; examples include androgens, glucocorticoids, and mineralcorticoids

prostaglandin

chemical mediator found in most body tissues; participate in the inflammatory response as in other body functions

cortisol

the main glucocorticoid secreted as part of the body’s response to stress

immunosuppression

suppression of the immune system

hyperuricemia

high levels of uric acid in the blood. the result of increased production of uric acid or impaired renal excreation of uric acid

negative feedback

when the output of a system affects the stimulus for the system it is known as a _________ mechanism

uricosurics

drugs that increase urinary excretion of uric acid

salicylism

toxic effects of a salicylate drug

anti-inflammatories

drugs indicated when the inflammatory response is inappropriate, abnormal, or presistent, or destroys tissue

anti-prostaglandis

drugs that inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins