Lymphatic and immune system terms

Allergen

Substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual

Anaphylaxis

Severe response to an allergen, in which the symptoms develop quickly; without help, the patient can die in a few minutes

Antibody

Disease fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen

Antifungal

Agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi

Antigen

Any substance that the body regards as being foreign

Antigen-antibody reaction

Involves the binding of antigens to antibodies, also known as the immune reaction

Autoimmune disorder

Any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies to work against its own tissues

Bacilli

Rod shaped, spore forming bacteria that cause diseases such as tuberculosis and tetanus

Bacteria

Group of one felled microscopic organisms, some of which cause diseases in humans

Candidiasis

AKA yeast infection; occurs on warm and moist skin or mucous membranes and is caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans

Carcinoma

Malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue

Cytomegalovirus

Virus found in most body fluids

Herpes zoster

AKA shingles; acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of an inflamed nerve

Immunoglobulins

Proteins that bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response

Immunologist

Specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune systems

Immunosuppressant

Substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune system

Immunotherapy

Disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response

Lymphadenopathy

Any disease process affecting one or more lymph nodes

Lymphangioma

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

Lymphedema

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

Lymphocytes

Leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells

Lymphologist

Physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the lymphatic system

Lymphoscintigraphy

Diagnostic test performed to detect damage to or malformations of the lymphatic vessels

Parasite

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

Pathogen

Microorganism that causes a disease in humans

Rickettsia

Small type of bacteria that live in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites an can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick

Sarcoma

Malignant tumor that arises from connective tissue

Spirochetes

Spiral shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and can move

Staphylococci

Bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters

Streptococci

Bacteria that form a chain

Toxoplasmosis

Caused by a parasite that is most commonly transmitted from pets to humans by contact with contaminated feces; if a pregnant person contracts this conditions it can result in abnormalities in the developing child such as microcephalus or hydrocephalus

Varicella

Highly contagious disease also known as chickenpox that is caused by a herpes virus