Lymphatic Diseases

Ab

Antibody

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

chronic immune system disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Ag

Antigen

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

allergic reaction

A condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance

Allergist

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

anaphylaxis

a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction

anemia

a group of conditions characterized by a reduction in the number of red cells or the amount of hemoglobin, resulting in less oxygen being transported to tissues

anisocytosis

An abnormal condition of the blood characterized by red blood cells of variable and abnormal size

Anthrax

caused by a spore-forming bacterium serious infectious disease

aplastic anemia

a condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells; a severe anemia where the bone marrow stops making enough red cells and white cells; may require a bone marrow transplant

Arterial stick

collected from artery and used to analyze blood gases

ascites

An abnormal intraperitoneal (within the peritoneal cavity) accumulation of a fluid containing large amounts of protein and electrolytes

autoimmune disorder

happens when the body's natural defense system can't tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells

Bacilli

Bacteria that can cause infection

bleeding time

a medical test that measures how fast small blood vessels in the skin stop bleeding

blood dyscrasia

any pathologic condition of the cellular elements of the blood

blood transfusion

a routine medical procedure in which donated blood is provided to you through a narrow tube placed within a vein in your arm

Bone Marrow Biopsy

procedures to collect and examine bone marrow; diagnostic test of a sample of red bone marrow; assists in forms of anemia and types of cancer

Bone Marrow Transplant

procedure that infuses healthy blood-forming stem cells into your body to replace bone marrow that's not producing enough healthy blood cells; treatment in which a donor's healthy bone marrow and its stem cells replaces faulty bone marrow of a patient; assists in forms of anemia and types of cancer

candidiasis

fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus)

Capillary stick

small quantity of blood is required; on finger, earlobe, or heel of infant

coagulate

to convert a liquid to a solid, as in blood clotting

complete blood cell count (CBC)

set of medical laboratory tests that provide information about the cells in a person's blood

computed tomography scan CT (CAT)

a medical imaging technique used to obtain detailed internal images of the body

corticosteroid drug

class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones

Cytomegalovirus

a common virus for people of all ages; however, a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the virus from causing illness

Diagnostic Vascular Technologists

specialist that image the vascular system

direct antiglobulin test

Coomb's test determines whether your red blood cells (RBCs) circulating in the bloodstream are covered with antibodies

dyscrasia

a general term for a disease affecting blood

edema

The abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces of tissues

electrophoresis

The movement of charged suspended particles through a liquid medium in response to changes in an electric field. Charged particles of a given substance migrate in a predictable direction and at a characteristic speed

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

detect and measure the amount of a substance in a solution, such as serum

erythremia

An abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube

erythrocytosis

a condition of having too many red cells

erythropenia

a condition of having too few red cells

fungus

fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms

Hematocrit

the percentage by volume of red cells in your blood

hematoma

a collection of blood under the skin as a result of blood escaping into tissue from damaged blood vessels; basically a bruise

Hematologist

specialist physician that diagnose and treat blood disorders

Hemochromatosis

also known as iron overload disease, is a genetic disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron

hemoglobin test

measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood

hemolytic anemia

characterized by an inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the premature destruction of red blood cells by the spleen; an anemia that results from the destruction of red cells

hemolytic reaction

the destruction of red cells when a patient receives an incompatible blood transfusion

Hemophilia

hereditary bleeding disorder in which a blood-clotting mechanism is impaired; a genetic disorder in which blood fails to clot due to a lack of one clotting factor

hemorrhage

the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time; blood flowing out of a vessel, usually indicates a bigger quantity

High Cholesterol

can limit blood flow, increasing risk of heart attack or stroke. It's detected by a blood test

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (the virus that causes AIDS)

Hodgkin's lymphoma

a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting immune system

hyperalbuminemia

An increased level of albumin in the blood

hyperbilirubinemia

Greater than normal amounts of the bile pigment, bilirubin, in the blood

hyperlipemia

An excessive level of blood fats, usually caused by a lipoprotein lipase deficiency or a defect in the conversion of low-density lipoproteins to high-density lipoproteins; also called hyperlipidemia

hyperlipidemia

an excessive level of lipids in the bloodstream; a risk factor for atherosclerosis

hypersensitivity

An exaggerated response by the immune system to a drug or other substance

Hypersplenism

an overactive spleen

hypochromic anemia

an anemia that results from insufficient amount of hemoglobin in red cells, making them look pale

Ig

Immunoglobulin

immunosuppressant

agent that decreases the body's immune responses

Immunotherapy

biological therapy is the treatment of disease by activating or suppressing the immune system

Immunologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system

Influenza

an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses

iron deficiency anemia

a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells; an anemia that results from insufficient amount of iron to make hemoglobin for red cells

Kaposi's sarcoma

a disease in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from mouth to anus, including the stomach and intestines. The most common cancer associated with AIDS

LE

Lymphedema

leukemia

a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes; a cancer of the white cells originating in the bone marrow, resulting in large numbers of abnormal and immature white cells in the bloodstream

leukocytopenia

An abnormal decrease in number of white blood cells to fewer than 5,000 cells per cubic millimeter

leukocytosis

a condition of having too many white blood cells, usually in response to fighting infection

Leukopenia

a decrease in the number of disease-fighting white blood cells circulating in the blood; a condition of having too few white cells

lipid profile

used to find abnormalities in lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides

Lymphadenitis

The terms lymph nodes and lymph glands are sometimes used interchangeably. Swelling of the lymph nodes is frequently an indication of an infection

Lymphadenopathy

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

Lymphangiogram

medical imaging technique in which a radiocontrast agent is injected, and then an X-ray picture is taken to visualise structures of the lymphatic system, including lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries and lymph vessels

Lymphedema

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

Lymphologist

physician specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the lymphatic system

Lymphoma

a general term for cancers that start in the lymph system

Lymphoscintigraphy

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

lymphocytic leukemia

a type of leukemia in which the abnormal white cells are lymphocytes

Lyme disease

A tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi

Malaria

a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes

Measles

viral infection that's serious for small children but is easily preventable by a vaccine

Medical laboratory technologists/technicians

operate lab equipment, analyze body fluids, and discuss findings with physicians

Megaloblastic anemia

This malformation causes the bone marrow to produce fewer cells, and sometimes the cells die earlier than the 120-day life expectancy

Mononucleosis

Often called mono or kissing disease, Symptoms include fatigue, fever, rash, and swollen glands

Mumps

viral infection that affects the salivary glands that's easily preventable by a vaccine

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles

Myelodysplastic syndrome

a group of bone marrow disorders that are characterized by the insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow

myeloid leukemia

a type of leukemia in which the abnormal white cells are granulocytes

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system

Oncologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating malignant disorders such as tumors and cancer

pancytopenia

A marked reduction in the number of the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; having too few of all the blood cells

partial thromboplastin time (PTT)

a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot

pernicious anemia

A decrease in red blood cells when the body can't absorb enough vitamin B-12; anemia due to insufficient absorption of vitamin B12, making it unable to produce enough red cells

Phlebotomist

professionals trained to draw blood

pica

A craving to eat unusual substances (non-food substances), including but not limited to things such as clay, dirt, starch, chalk, glue, ice, and hair

platelet count

a test that measures the number of platelets in your blood

pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)

a serious infection caused by a fungus

Polycythemia

an abnormal increase in the number of red cells in the blood due to excess production of these cells by the bone marrow

polycythemia vera

a condition of having too many red cells where blood is too thick and flows sluggishly