Medical Terminology - Chapter 6

Lymphatic and Immune Symptoms

lacteals

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

interstitial fluid

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

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

lymphatic circulatory system

a vital, one-way network of vessels, nodes, and organs (like the spleen, thymus, and tonsils) that drains excess fluid (lymph) from tissues, filters it, and returns it to the bloodstream

lymphatic capillaries

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

lymphocytes

also known as lymphoid cells, are leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells

antigen

any substance 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

also known as 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

also known as T lymphocytes, get the T in their name from their origin in the thymus

cytokines

a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells, signals to begin the immune response

interferons

produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells, and activate the immune system, fight viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication, and signal other cells to increase their defenses

interleukins

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

tonsils

three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and upper throat, prevent pathogens from entering the respiratory system

adenoids

also known as the nasopharyngeal tonsils, are located in the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the pharynx

palatine tonsils

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

lingual tonsils

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

thymus

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

vermiform appendix

commonly referred to as the appendix, hangs from the lower portion of the cecum, which is the first section of the large intestine

spleen

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

function of destroying worn-out erythrocytes and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse

pathogens

disease-producing microorganisms

allergens

substances that produce allergic reactions

toxins

poisonous or harmful substances

malignant cells

potentially life-threatening cancer cells

intact skin

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

attacks and destroys pathogens that have succeeded in entering the body

antigen-antibody reaction

also known as the immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies

tolerance

an acquired unresponsiveness to a specific antigen

antibody

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

immunoglobulin G

the most abundant class of antibodies, and are found in blood and lymph

immunoglobulin A

the class of antibodies produced predominantly against ingested antigens, are found in body secretions such as saliva, sweat, or tears

immunoglobulin M

the class of antibodies that are found in circulating body fluids

immunoglobulin D

is the class of antibodies found only on the surface of B cells, is the class of antibodies found only on the surface of B cells

immunoglobulin E

the class of antibodies produced in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes

phagocytes

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

phagocytosis

the process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them

monocytes

leukocytes that provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms

macrophage

a type of leukocyte that surrounds and kills invading cells

dendritic cells

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

complement system

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

immunity

the state of being resistant to a specific disease

natural immunity

also known as 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

vaccine

a preparation containing an antigen, consisting of whole or partial disease-causing organisms, which have been killed or weakened

vaccination

provides protection against the disease; however, for some conditions a periodic booster is required to maintain the effectiveness of the immunization

allergist

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

infectious disease specialist

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

immunologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system

lymphologist

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

oncologist

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

lymphadenitis

commonly known as swollen glands, is an inflammation of the lymph nodes

lymphadenopathy

any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes

lymphangioma

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

ruptured spleen

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

splenomegaly

abnormal enlargement of the spleen

lymphoscintigraphy

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

lymphedema

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

primary lymphedema

a hereditary condition of the lymphatic system that develops with swelling beginning in the feet and progressing into the ankles and in an upward direction along the legs

secondary lymphedema

caused by damage to lymphatic vessels that is most frequently due to cancer treatment, surgery, trauma, or burns

bioimpedance spectroscopy

a noninvasive method of diagnosing lymphedema, measures the resistance to an electrical current passed through the affected limb

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

also known as hypersensitivity, is an overreaction by the body to a particular antigen

systemic reaction

or anaphylactic shock, is a severe response to an allergen

antihistamines

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

autoimmune disorder

also known as an 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

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

ELISA

which is the acronym for 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

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

synthetic interferon

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

monoclonal antibodies

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

pre-exposure prophylaxis

a daily preventative drug for people at high risk of HIV infection such as IV drug users and men who have sex with men

exposure prophylaxis

for people who have had suspected or confirmed exposure to the virus, such as in the case of a a sexual assault, and is taken for 28 days

immunosuppression

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

immunosuppressant

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

corticosteroid drug

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

cytotoxic drug

a medication that kills or damages cells

pathogen

a microorganism that causes a disease in humans

bacteria

one-celled microscopic organisms

bacilli

rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria

anthrax

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

rickettsia

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

spirochetes

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

shigellosis

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

lyme disease

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

staphylococci

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

staphylococcus aureus

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

streptococci

bacteria that form a chain

antibiotic-resistant bacteria

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

methicillin resistant staph aureus

one of several types of bacteria that are now resistant to most antibiotics

fungus

a simple parasitic organism

parasite

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

giardiasis

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