Chapter 9: Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems

hematology

study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of blood and blood-forming organs

hematologist

hematology specialist

immunology

study of the body’s response to foreign substances

immunologist

specialist in immunology

hemophilia

group of inherited bleeding disorders characterized by a deficiency of one of the factors necessary for the coagulation of blood; excessive bleeding and hemarthrosis (blood in a joint) can result from even a minor injury

polycythemia vera

chronic increase in the number of RBCs and the concentration of hemoglobin. “vera” signifies that this is not a sequela of another condition

purpura

bleeding disorder characterized by hemorrhage into the tissues

thrombocytopenia

deficiency of platelets that causes an inability of the blood to clot. The most common cause of bleeding disorders

leukocytosis

abnormal increase in WBCs; abnormal increases in each type of granulocyte are termed eosinophilia, basophilia, or neutrophilia, where the suffix -philia denotes a slight increase. Abnormal increases in the number of each type of agranulocyte are termed lympocytosis or monocytosis.

leukopenia

Abnormal decrease in WBCs. Specific deficiences are termed neutropenia, eosinopenia, monocytopenia, and lymphocytopenia. AKA leukocytopenia

neutropenia

abnormal decrease in neutrophils due to disease process; formerly agranulocytosis

edema

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of tissues

hypersplenism

increased function of the spleen, resulting in hemolysis

lymphadenitis

inflammation of a lymph node

lymphadenopathy

disease of the lymph nodes or vessels that may be localized or generalized

lymphangitis

inflammation of lymph vessels

lymphedema

Accumulation of lymphatic fluid and resultant swelling caused by obstruction, removal, or hypoplasia of lymph vessels

lymphocytopenia

deficiency of lymphocytes caused by infectious mononucleosis, malignancy, nutritional deficiency, or a hematologic disorder

lymphocytosis

abnormal increase in lymphocytes

mononucleosis

increase in the number of mononuclear cells (mono- and lymphocytes) in the blood caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Can result in splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

syndrome caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and transmitted through body fluids via sexual contact or intravenous exposure. HIV attacks the helper T cells, which diminishes the immune response

allergy

immune system’s overreaction to irritants that are perceived as antigens; the substance that causes irritation is called an allergen; AKA hypersensitivity

anaphylaxis

extreme form of allergic response in which the patient suffers severely decreased blood pressure and constriction of the airways

delayed response allergy

immune system hypersensitivity caused by activated T cells that respone to an exposure of the skin to a chemical irritant up to 2 days later; an example would be poison ivy. The resulting rash is called contact dermatits.

immediate response allergy

hypersensitivty of the immune system caused by IgE. Examples are tree and grass pollens

autoimmune disease

condition in which a person’s T cells attack his/her own cells, causing extensive tissue damage and organ dysfunction; exampels include myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis

adenoidectomy

removal of the adenoids. AKA the pharyngeal tonsils

biopsy (bx) of lymphatic structures

removal of the lymph nodes or lymphoid tissue as a means to diagnosis and treatment

lymphadenectomy

removal of a lymph node

splenectomy

removal of the spleen