Lymphatic and Immune system

Medical terminology

Lacteals

are specialized structures of the lymphatic system that absorb those fats that cannot be transported by the bloodstream

interstitial fluid

aka: intercellular or tissue fluid, is plasma from arterial blood that flows out of the arterioles and into the capillaries, and then flows into the spaces between the cells of the tissues

lymph

is made up of the remaining 10% of the returning interstitial fluid

lymphatic circulatory system

and blood circulatory system work closely together, and because of these similarities the lymphatic circulatory system is often referred to as the secondary circulatory system

lymphatic capillaries

are microscopic, blind-ended (sealed on one end) tubes located near the surface of the body with capillary walls that are only one cell in thickness

lymphatic vessels

which are located deeper within the tissues, is lymphs flowing from the lymphatic capillaries into these

right lymphatic duct

collects lymph from the right side of the head and neck, the upper right quadrant of the body, and the right arm

thoracic duct

which is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body, collects lymph from the left side of the head and neck, the upper left quadrant of the trunk, the left arm, the entire lower portion of the trunk, and both legs

lymph node

are small, bean-shaped nodes containing specialized lymphocytes that are capable of destroying pathogens

cervical lymph nodes

are located along the sides of the neck

axillary lymph nodes 

are located under the arms in the area known as the armpits

inguinal lymph nodes

are located in the inguinal (groin) area of the lower abdomen

lymphocytes

aka: lymphoid cells, are leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells

antigen

is any substance that the body regards as being foreign

natural killer cells

play an important role in the killing of cancer cells and cells infected by viruses

B cells

aka: B lymphocytes, are specialized lymphocytes that produce antibodies

plasma cells

develop from B cells and secrete a large volume of antibodies coded to destroy specific antigens

T cells

aka: T lymphocytes, get the T in their name from their origin in the thymus. They play a central role in cell-mediated immunity

Cytokines

are a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells

Interferons

are produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells

Interleukins

play multiple roles in the immune system, including directing B and T cells to divide and proliferate

tonsils

are three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and upper throat

adenoids

aka: nasopharyngeal tonsils, are locating in the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the pharynx

palatine tonsils

are located on the left and right sides of the throat in the area that is visible at the back of the mouth

lingual tonsils

are located at the base of the tongue; however, they are not readily visible

thymus

which is a mass of lymphoid tissue located above the heart, reaches its greatest size at puberty and becomes smaller with age

vermiform appendix

aka: appendix, hangs from the lower portion of the cecum, which is the first section of the large intestine

spleen

is a sac-like mass of lymphoid tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just inferior to (below) the diaphragm and posterior to (behind) the stomach

hemolytic

is a function of the spleen that destroys worn-out erythrocytes and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse

intact skin

that wraps the body in a physical barrier to prevent invading organisms from entering the body

respiratory system 

traps breathed-in foreign matter with nose hairs and the moist mucous membrane lining of the respiratory system

digestive system

uses the acids and enzymes produced by the stomach to destroy invaders that are swallowed or consumed with food

lymphatic system

and specialized leukocytes work together in specific ways to attack and destroy pathogens that have succeeded in entering the body

antigen-antibody reaction

aka: immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies

tolerance

refers to an acquired unresponsiveness to a specific antigen

antibody

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

Immunoglobulins

bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response

Phagocytes

are specialized leukocytes that act as part of the antigen-antibody reaction by destroying substances such as cell debris, dust, pollen, and pathogens by the process of phagocytosis

monocytes

are leukocytes that provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms

macrophage

is a type of leukocyte that surrounds and kills invading cells

Dendritic cells

are specialized leukocytes that patrol the body searching for antigens that produce infections

complement system

is a group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form

Immunity

is the state of being resistant to a specific disease

Natural immunity

aka: passive immunity, is resistance to a disease present without the administration of an antigen or exposure to a disease

acquired immunity

is obtained by having had a contagious disease

allergist

specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity, such as allergic reactions

infectious disease specialist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases cause by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites

immunologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system

lymphologist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the lymphatic system

oncologist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating malignant disorders such as tumors and cancer

Lymphadenitis

aka: swollen glands, is an inflammation of the lymph nodes

Lymphadenopathy

is any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes

lymphangioma

is a benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system

ruptured spleen

is a medical emergency that occurs when the covering of the spleen is ton, usually as the result of a blow to the abdomen

Splenomegaly

is an abnormal enlargement of the spleen

Lymphoscintigraphy

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

Lymphedema

is swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues

Bioimpedance spectroscopy

is a noninvasive method of diagnosing lymphedema

allergic reaction

occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to a harmless allergen such as pollen, food, or animal dander as if it were a dangerous invader

allergy

aka: hypersensitivity, is an overreaction by the body to a particular antigen

allergen

is a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual

localized allergic response

aka: cellular response, includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen

systemic reaction

which is also described as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, is a severe response to an allergen

antihistamines

are medications administered to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergy to wind-borne pollens and other types of allergies

autoimmune disorder

aka: autoimmune disease, is any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues, mistaking healthy cells, tissues, or organs for antigens

immunodeficiency disorder

occurs when the immune response is compromised

severe combined immunodeficiency

is an inherited condition in which abnormalities in the immune system cause an increased susceptibility to infection and failure to thrive as a result of infections

human immunodeficiency virus

aka: HIV, is a blood-borne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail, this leaving the body at risk of developing many life-threatening opportunistic infections

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

aka: AIDS, is the most advance and fatal stage of an HIV infectiono

opportunistic infection

is caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans

Kaposi”s sarcoma

is an example of an opportunistic infection that is frequently associated with HIV

ELISA

aka: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, is a blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies, as well as Lyme disease and other infectious conditions

immunotherapy

also called biological therapy, is a disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response

Synthetic immunoglobulins

aka immune serum, are used as a post-exposure preventative measure against certain viruses, including rabies and some types of hepatitis

Synthetic interferon

is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and some cancers

Monoclonal antibodies

are any of a class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells

immunosuppression

is treatment to repress or interfere with the ability of the immune system to respond to stimulation by antigens

immunosuppressant

is a substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune response

corticosteroid drug

is a synthetic hormone that closely resembles the cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands

cytotoxic drug

is a medication that kills or damages cells

pathogen

is a microorganism that causes a disease in humans

bacteria

are one-celled microscopic organisms

bacilli

are rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria

anthrax

is a contagious disease that can be transmitted through livestock infected with Bacillus anthracis

rickettsia

is a small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites

Spirochetes

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

Shigellosis

is an infection caused by the bacteria shigella which can cause diarrhea and fever and can be prevented by handwashing and good hygiene

Lyme disease

is transmitted to humans by the bite of a tick that has had contact with a deer infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi

Staphylococci

are a group of about 30 species of bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters resembling grapes

Staphylococcus aureus

aka staph aureus, is a form of staphylococcus that often infects wounds and causes serious problems such as toxic shock syndrome or food poisoning

Streptococci

are bacteria that form a chain

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria

occur when antibiotics fail to kill all of the bacteria they target

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

aka MRSA, is one of several types of bacteria that are now resistant to most antibodies

fungus

is a simple parasitic organism 

Tinea pedis

aka athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection that develops between the toes

yeast

is a type of fungus

candidiasis

aka yeast infection, occur on the skin or mucous membranes in warm, moist areas such as the vagina or mouth and are caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans

parasite

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

Giardiasis

is a diarrheal disease caused by the parasite Giardia

Malaria

is caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes and is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito