The Lymphatic and Immune Systems

hem/o

blood (combining form starting with hem-)

hemat/o

blood (combining form starting with hemat-)

leuk/o

white (combining form)

erythr/o

red (combining form)

thromb/o

clot, stationary blood clot (combining form)

myel/o

bone marrow or spinal cord (combining form)

lymph/o

lymph, lymphatic fluid or tissue (combining form)

lymphaden/o

lymph node or lymph gland (combining form)

lymphangi/o

lymphatic vessel (combining form)

splen/o

spleen (combining form starting with splen-)

splen/p

spleen (combining form starting with splen/p)

thym/o

thymus gland (combining form)

tox/o

poison or poisonous substance (combining form)

immun/o

immune, protected, safe (combining form)

phag/o

eat, swallow, or consume (combining form)

carcin/o

cancerous, cancer (combining form)

onc/o

tumor or mass (combining form)

sarc/o

flesh or connective tissue (combining form)

neo-

new or strange (prefix ending in a dash)

ne/o

new or strange (combining form ending in -o)

anti-

against (prefix)

-oma

tumor, swelling, or neoplasm (suffix)

-plasm

formative material of a cell (suffix)

-penia

decrease or structural deficiency (suffix)

-poiesis

formation or production process (suffix)

Plasma

The clear, liquid portion of the blood that contains the components of immunity

Erythrocyte

Red blood cell responsible for transporting oxygen and removing carbon dioxide

Leukocyte

White blood cell responsible for defending the body against invading pathogens

Thrombocyte

Blood platelet that triggers the formation of clots to reduce blood loss

Hemoglobin

Iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds to and carries oxygen

Hematopoiesis

The production, development, and formation of blood cells within red bone marrow

Serum

The clear, yellowish fluid remaining after blood cells and clotting factors are removed

Albumin

The major plasma protein involved in maintaining blood volume, pressure, and transport

Lymph

Clear, watery fluid found within lymphatic vessels that recycles extracellular fluids

Lymphatic vessels

Capillaries and ducts that collect and return lymph fluid back to the venous bloodstream

Lymph nodes

Small, bean-shaped organs that filter lymph fluid to remove bacteria and foreign materials

Tonsils

Clusters of lymphatic tissue under the mucous membrane protecting the entry to the respiratory system

Adenoids

Lymphatic tissue structures located in the nasopharynx behind the nasal cavity

Spleen

Sac-like mass of lymphoid tissue that destroys old red blood cells and filters foreign materials

Thyrus

Gland located in the upper chest that is instrumental in the development and maturation of T cells

Antigen

Any foreign substance or organism that induces a targeted immune response

Antibody

Protective protein produced by B cells in response to the presence of a specific antigen

Lymphedema

Swelling of tissues caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid due to vessel obstruction

Lymphadenitis

Inflammatory condition affecting a lymph gland or node

Lymphadenopathy

Any disease process causing abnormal swelling or enlargement of the lymph nodes

Lymphangitis

Inflammation of a lymphatic vessel typically triggered by a bacterial invasion

Splenomegaly

Abnormal, physical enlargement of the spleen organ

Lymphoma

Malignant neoplasm or tumor originating within lymphoid tissues

Hodgkin's lymphoma

Malignant tumor of the lymph nodes characterized by unique cancerous Reed-Sternberg cells

Mononucleosis

Acute infectious viral disease marked by fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes

Anaphylaxis

Severe, systemic, and life-threatening allergic reaction to a foreign substance

Immunosuppression

Reduced activation, efficiency, or efficacy of the body's natural immune response

Autoimmune disorder

Condition where the immune system fails to recognize its own tissues and attacks them

Leukemia

Progressive malignant disease characterized by an excessive production of abnormal white blood cells

Anemia

Condition marked by a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to tissue hypoxia

Leukopenia

Abnormal deficiency or decrease in the total number of circulating white blood cells

Thrombocytopenia

Abnormal decrease or deficiency in the number of blood platelets or thrombocytes

Pancytopenia

Serious blood condition involving a deficiency of red cells, white cells, and platelets simultaneously

Hematoma

Localized collection of blood trapped beneath the skin or within an organ tissue

Graft-versus-host disease

GVHD, condition where immune cells from a donor transplant attack the recipient's body tissues

ELISA

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood test utilized as the primary screening tool for HIV

Western blot test

Highly specific blood test utilized to confirm a positive ELISA result for HIV

Lymphangiography

Radiographic imaging of lymphatic channels and glands using a contrast medium

Splenectomy

Surgical excision and removal of the spleen

Thymectomy

Surgical excision and removal of the thymus gland

Blood transfusion

The infusion of compatible blood or blood components from a donor to a recipient

Autologous transfusion

Transfusion process where a patient receives blood that was previously collected from themselves

Homologous transfusion

Transfusion process utilizing blood components collected from a separate, compatible donor