AH 110- Chapter 14 Terms

adaptive immunity

Ability to recognize and remember specific antigens and mount an attack against them.

adenoids

Mass of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx.

antibody

Protein produced by B cells to destroy antigens.

antigen

Foreign substance that triggers an immune response.

axillary nodes

Lymph nodes located in the armpit.

B cell (B lymphocyte)

Lymphocyte that matures into a plasma cell and secretes antibodies.

cell-mediated immunity

Adaptive immunity in which T cells respond to and destroy antigens.

cervical nodes

Lymph nodes located in the neck.

complement system

Group of blood proteins that help antibodies destroy antigens.

cytokines

Proteins secreted by immune cells that help regulate and enhance immune responses.

cytotoxic T cell

T lymphocyte that directly kills antigens; also called a CD8+ T cell.

dendritic cell

Antigen-presenting cell that activates T and B cells.

helper T cell

T lymphocyte that assists B cells and stimulates other T cells; also called a CD4+ T cell.

humoral immunity

Adaptive immunity in which B cells produce antibodies against specific antigens.

immunity

Body's ability to resist foreign organisms

immunoglobulins

Antibodies produced by plasma cells in response to antigens.

immunotherapy

Use of immune cells

inguinal nodes

Lymph nodes located in the groin.

interferons

Cytokines that help regulate immune responses and fight infections.

interleukins

Cytokines that stimulate the growth and activity of B and T lymphocytes.

interstitial fluid

Fluid found between body cells that becomes lymph when it enters lymphatic vessels.

lymph

Clear fluid collected from tissues and transported through lymphatic vessels.

lymph capillaries

Smallest lymphatic vessels.

lymph node

Small structure containing lymphocytes and macrophages that filters lymph and fights infection.

lymphoid organs

Organs involved in immune function

lymph vessel

Vessel that carries lymph throughout the body.

macrophage

Large phagocytic cell that engulfs and destroys pathogens and debris.

mediastinal nodes

Lymph nodes located between the lungs in the chest cavity.

mesenteric nodes

Lymph nodes located in the intestinal region.

monoclonal antibody

Laboratory-produced antibody designed to target specific antigens.

natural immunity

Innate protection present at birth that provides nonspecific defense against pathogens.

paraaortic nodes

Lymph nodes located near the aorta in the lumbar region.

plasma cell

Mature B lymphocyte that secretes antibodies.

right lymphatic duct

Lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the upper right side of the body into a vein in the neck.

spleen

Organ that destroys old red blood cells

suppressor T cell

T lymphocyte that inhibits the activity of B and T cells; also called a regulatory T cell.

T cell (T lymphocyte)

Lymphocyte that directly attacks antigens or releases cytokines to destroy them.

thoracic duct

Largest lymphatic vessel; drains lymph from most of the body into veins in the neck.

thymus gland

Lymphoid organ that matures T cells and supports immune responses.

tolerance

Ability of the immune system to recognize the body's own cells as self and not attack them.

tonsils

Masses of lymphatic tissue located at the back of the oropharynx.

toxin

Poison produced by certain bacteria

vaccination

Exposure to an antigen to stimulate an immune response and provide protection against disease.

vaccine

Weakened or dead antigen given to stimulate antibody production and adaptive immunity.

autoimmune disease

Disorder in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.

immunoglobulin

Antibody produced by plasma cells to fight specific antigens.

immunosuppression

Reduction or suppression of the immune response.

lymphopoiesis

Formation and development of lymphocytes.

lymphedema

Swelling caused by accumulation of lymph due to blocked or damaged lymphatic vessels.

lymphocytopenia

Abnormally low number of lymphocytes in the blood.

lymphocytosis

Abnormally high number of lymphocytes in the blood.

lymphoid

Resembling or derived from lymphatic tissue.

lymphadenopathy

Disease or enlargement of lymph nodes.

lymphadenitis

Inflammation of lymph nodes.

splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen.

splenectomy

Surgical removal of the spleen.

asplenia

Absence of a spleen.

hypersplenism

Condition involving an overactive enlarged spleen that destroys blood cells.

thymectomy

Surgical removal of the thymus gland.

toxic

Pertaining to or caused by a poison.

anaphylaxis

Severe allergic reaction that can cause breathing difficulty