Medical Terminology Chapter 6

antigen

substance that, when entering the body, prompts the generation of antibodies, causing an immune response

autoimmune

type of immune response by the body against its own cells or tissues

capillaries

microscopic blood vessels that connect the ends of the smallest arteries (arterioles) with the smallest veins (venules)

hematopoiesis

production and development of blood cells, normally in the bone marrow, also called hemopoiesis

immune response

defense function of the body that protects it against invading pathogens, foreign tissues, and malignancies

immunodeficiency

decreased or compromised ability to fight disease or a condition resulting from a defective immune mechanism

interstitial fluid

fluid between cells and in tissue spaces

lymphocyte

type of white blood cell (WBC) found in the lymph nodes, spleen, bloodstream, and lymph that functions in the body's immune system by recognizing and deactivating foreign substances (antigens)

monocytes

large WBCs formed in the blood marrow that circulate in the bloodstream and destroy pathogenic bacteria through phagocytosis

oncology

branch of medicine concerned with the study of cancerous growths (malignancies)

pathogen

any microorganism capable of producing disease

transfusion

collection of blood or a blood component from a donor followed by its infusion into a recipient

agglutin/o

clumping, gluing

embol/o

embolus (plug)

erthry/o

red

hem/o

blood

hemat/o

blood

leuk/o

white

myel/o

bone marrow; spinal cord

thromb/o

blood clot

ven/o

vein

aden/o

gland

immun/o

immune, immunity, safe

lymph/o

lymph

lympaden/o

lymph gland (node)

lymphangi/o

lymph vessel

phag/o

swallowing, eating

splen/o

spleen

thym/o

thymus gland

-emia

blood condition

-phage

swallowing, eating

-phylaxis

protection

-poiesis

formation, production

-stasis

standing still

macro-

large

micro-

small

mono-

one

anemia

blood disorder characterized by a deficiency of red blood cell production and hemoglobin, increased RBC destruction, or blood loss

aplastic

failure of bone marrow to produce stems cells because it has been damaged by disease, cancer, radiation, or chemotherapy drugs; rare but serious form of anemia

pernicious

deficiency of erythrocytes resulting from inability to absorb vitamin B12 into the body. which plays a vital role in hematopoiesis

thalassemia

group of hereditary anemias caused by an inability to produce hemoglobin; usually seen in people of Mediterranean origin

hemophilia

group of hereditary bleeding disorders characterized by a deficiency of one of the factors necessary for coagulation of blood

leukemia

malignant disease of the bone marrow characterized by excessive production of leukocytes

acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

transmissible infection caused by HIV and associated with suppression of the immune system; characterized by increasing susceptibility to infections, malignancies, and neurological diseases

Hodgkin lymphoma

malignant disease originating in the lymphocytes that occurs most often in young adults and characterized by the presence of unique Reed-Sternberg cells (malignant cells) in the lymph nodes; also called Hodgkin disease

immunodeficiency diseases

any of a group of diseases caused by a defect in the immune system and generally characterized by susceptibility to infections and chronic diseases

Kaposi sarcoma

malignancy of connective tissue, including bone, fat, muscle, and fibrous tissue, that is commonly fatal) because the tumors readily metastasize to various organs) and closely associated with AIDS

lymphadenitis

inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes, usually as a result of infection

lymphedema

debilitating condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system that prevents lymph fluid in the upper limbs from draining adequately

mononucleosis

acute infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and characterized by a sore throat, fever, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes

multiple myeloma

malignant disease of bone marrow plasma cells (antibody-producing B lymphocytes)

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

a group of more than 20 different types of lymphomas (except Hodgkin lymphoma) that occur in older adults but are not characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells (malignant cells)

opportunistic infection

any infection that results from a defective immune system that cannot defend against pathogens normally found in the environment

stroke

sudden loss of neurological function, caused by a vascular injury (loss of blood flow) to an area of the brain; also known as CVA

bone marrow aspiration

removal of a small amount of tissue (bone marrow biopsy) to diagnose blood disorders (eg, anemias), cancers, or infectious diseases or to gather cells for later infusion into a patient (bone marrow transplantation)

complete blood count (CBC)

series of blood tests to determine the general health status as well as screening for infection, anemias, and other diseases

ELISA

test to screen blood for presence of HIV antibodies or for other disease-causing substances

lymphangiography

radiographic examination of lymph glands and lymphatic vessels after injection of a contrast medium to view the path of lymph flow as it moves into the chest region

tissue typing

technique used to determine the histocompatibility of tissues; used in grafts and transplants with the recipient's tissues and cells; also known as histocompatibility testing

Western blot

test to detect presence of viral DNA in the blood and used to confirm the diagnosis of AIDS as well as detecting other viruses

blood transfusion

administration of whole blood or a component, such as packed red cells, to replace blood lost through trauma, surgery, or disease

lymphangiectomy

removal of a lymph vessel

anticoagulants

prevent or delay blood coagulation

immunizations

vaccination or injection of immune globulins to induce immunity to a particular infectious disease

immunosuppressants

suppress the immune response to prevent organ rejection after transplantation or slow the progression of autoimmune disease

thrombolytics

dissolve a blood clot

vaccinations

introduction of altered antigens (viruses or bacteria) into the body to produce an immune response and protect against disease