Medical Terminology Lymphatic/Immune System

Chickenpox

Also known as varicella

infectious mononucleosis

Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and characterized by fever, a sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes.

rabies

an acute viral infection that is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite or saliva of an infected animal

rubella

A virus that can complicate pregnancy, causing miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital disorders; also called German Measles

shingles

caused by herpes zoster

allergan

an antigen that is capable of causing an allergic response

allergy

overreaction by the body to an antigen

antibody

a disease-fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen

antigen

any substance the body regards as foreign

cytokines

group of proteins that act as signals between the cells of the immune system to begin the immune response

bacilli

rod-shaped spore-forming bacteria

rickettsia

small bacteria that live in fleas and ticks; causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

spirochetes

spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement

staphylococci

bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters

streptococci

bacteria that form a chain

carcinoma in situ

a malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded the surrounding tissues

carcinoma

a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue

metastasis

a new cancer site that results from the spreading process

metastasize

the process by which cancer spreads from one place to another

sarcoma

malignant tumor of connective tissue

Crohn's disease

autoimmune disease that affects the digestive system

Graves disease

autoimmune disease that affects the endocrine system

scleroderma

autoimmune disease that affects the integumentary system

multiple sclerosis

autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system

rheumatoid arthritis

autoimmune disease that affects the skeletal system

myasthenia graves

autoimmune disease that affects the muscular system

pernicious anemia

autoimmune disease that affects the the cardiovascular system

Western blot

a blood test that detects the presence of HIV antibodies; a more accurate and more expensive test used to confirm positive results from an ELISA test

nasopharyngeal tonsils

aka adenoids

toxoplasmosis

a parasite which is most commonly transmitted from animals to humans by contact with contaminated feces from pets

cytotoxic drug

medication that kills or damages cells

anaphylaxis

a severe systemic allergic response in which the patient may die within minutes

lymphoscintigraphy

a diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels

brachytherapy

the use of radioactive materials in contact with or implanted into the tissues to be treated

antibiotics

A medication that is capable of inhibiting the growth of or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms.

West Nile Virus

a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms, transmitted to humans by mosquito bites; can spread to the spinal cord and brain

interferon

produced by T cells; family of proteins that specializes in fighting viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication

Kaposi's sarcoma

opportunistic infection that is frequently associated with HIV

aden/o

gland

angi/o

vessel

anti-

against

axill/o

armpit

carcin/o

cancer

-cide

causing death

-genesis

reproduction

-gram

record, writing

immun/o

protection

-lytic

to destroy

onc/o

tumor

phag/o

eat, swallow

-phage

a cell that eats

-stasis

stopping

-static

causing control

lymphaden/o

lymph gland (node)

lymphangi/o

lymphatic vessel

bacteria

one-celled microscopic organisms, some of which are pathogenic

Hodgkin's lymphoma

distinguished from other lymphomas by the presence of large, cancerous lymphocytes known as Reed-Sternberg cells

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

The virus that causes AIDS; it causes the immune system to progressively fail making the body unable to fight infection or certain cancers.

Complement system

A group of proteins that combine with antibodies to dissolve and remove pathogens and other foreign cells

Immunosuppressant

Type of medication used to prevent the rejection of donor tissue

Malaria

A disease that is caused by a parasite and is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Lyme disease

Caused a spirochete and is transmitted by a bite from an infected deer tick

Autoimmune disorder

a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against the body's own tissues

Parasite

a plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism at the expense of that organism

Lymphedema

swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues that occurs when lymph vessels do not drain properly