Blood, Lymph, and Immune Systems / Cardiovascular System Unit 2

Hematologist

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating blood disorders.

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists primarily draw blood, which is then used for different kinds of medical laboratory testing or for procedures, such as transfusions.

Medical Lab Technologist

Technologist that performs complex analyses of tissue, blood and other body fluids.

Logist

One who studies.

Phleb/o

Vein.

Tom/o

To cut into.

ist

Specialist.

anticoagulant

Medication that prevents blood clots

erythropoietin

Medications that promote the production of red blood cells

immunosuppressant

A class of medicines that inhibit or decrease the intensity of the immune response in the body.

thrombolytic enzyme

Drugs that dissolve a major clot quickly.

bone marrow aspiration

to collect a sample of bone marrow for analysis.

complete blood count (CBC)

measures the following: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen; White blood cells, which fight infection; Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

hematocrit

The ratio (percentage) of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood as determined by separation of red blood cells from the plasma usually by centrifugation.

immunization

A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination.

morphology

The study of the size, shape, and structure of organisms.

lymphangiogram

An x-ray of the lymph nodes and lymph vessels.

lymph node biopsy

The removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope.

phlebotomy

When a needle is used to take blood from a vein for medical purposes.

plasmapheresis

The process of obtaining plasma from blood.

splenectomy

Surgical removal of the spleen.

transfusion

The process of transferring blood or blood products from one person to another.

autologous transfusion

A transfusion where the individual is both donor and recipient.

vaccination

Introducing harmless fragments of pathogens to activate the immune response.

venipuncture

Surgical puncture of a vein especially for the withdrawal of blood or for intravenous medication.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS.

Lymphadenopathy

Abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes.

Lymphedema

Edema due to faulty lymphatic drainage (swollen lymph nodes).

Lymphoma

A usually malignant, cancerous tumor of lymphoid tissue.

Splenomegaly

Abnormal enlargement of the spleen.

Hypercalcemia

An excess of calcium in the blood. Can lead to digestive systems, increased thirst, muscle weakness, cognitive issues, and bone pain.

Hyperkalemia

An abnormally high concentration of potassium in the blood. It can lead to heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Hypernatremia

The presence of an abnormally high concentration of sodium in the blood. Can cause dehydration, confusion, muscle twitches, and seizures.

Hypocalcemia

A deficiency of calcium in the blood. Prolonged low calcium levels can result in poor bone formation, which may result in brittle bones that are prone to fractures.

Hypokalemia

A deficiency of potassium in the blood. Can cause constipation, the feeling of skipped heart beats or palpitations, fatigue, muscle damage, muscle weakness or spasms, tingling or numbness.

Hyponatremia

The condition of having an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood. Typically marked by nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, and muscle cramps and that when severe may be life-threatening if untreated.

leukemia

A cancer that results in an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

-emia

blood condition

leuk/o

white

mononucleosis

A viral infection characterized by an abnormal increase of mononuclear white blood cells in the blood. Symptoms can include fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

-osis

condition

mon/o

one

nucl/eo

nucleus

leukocytosis

An increase in the number of white blood cells in the circulating blood.

cyt/o

cell

myeloma

A cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Can cause bone pain, weakness, and frequent infections.

-oma

tumor; mass; fluid collection

myel/o

spinal cord; bone marrow

coagulopathy

A disease or condition affecting the blood's ability to coagulate (clot).

-pathy

disease

coagul/o

clotting or coagulation

embolism

A blocked artery caused by a foreign body, such as a blood clot or an air bubble.

hemophiliac

A genetic disorder that is characterized by delayed clotting of the blood.

philia

a strong affinity, love, tendency, or abnormal attraction to something

hem/o

blood

thrombocytopenia

Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.

-penia

deficiency; lack of

thromb/o

blood clot

thrombophilia

An abnormal increase in the tendency of blood to clot and higher than normal risk of thrombosis.

thrombosis

The formation or presence of a blood clot within a blood vessel.

dyscrasia

A nonspecific term that refers to a disease or disorder, especially of the blood.

-ia

condition

dys-

difficult; abnormal

cras/o

mixture; temperament

hemorrhage

A heavy discharge of blood from the blood vessels.

-rrhage

bleeding

hem/o

blood

pancytopenia

Low levels of all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

-penia

deficiency; lack of

pan-

all; everywhere

cyt/o

cell

septicemia

A serious bloodstream infection.

-emia

blood condition

seps/o

infection

anisocytosis

Variation (unequal) size of cells and especially of the red blood cells.

-osis

condition; usually abnormal

anis/o

unequal

anemia

A condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.

hemolytic

Pertaining to the destruction of red blood cells.

-lytic

pertaining to break down, destruction; dissolving

hypochromic

Abnormally pale red blood cells. Comes from red blood cells with deficient hemoglobin.

-ic

pertaining to

hypo-

under, deficient

chrom/o

color

macrocytic

Pertaining to an exceptionally large red blood cell occurring chiefly in anemias.

microcytic

Pertaining to small than normal blood cells.

poikilocytosis

An abnormally shaped red blood cell.

polycythemia vera

A rare disease in which the body makes too many blood cells.

poly-

many, excessive

antigen

Any substance that evokes an immune response

antibody

A protein produced by the immune system to neutralize pathogens

autoimmune

A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells

endemic

A disease or outbreak of disease that is typically present in a particular region or population: an endemic disease

epidemic

A disease that affects a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time

immunity

The ability of the body to resist infection and disease

pandemic

An outbreak that occurs over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affecting a significant proportion of the population

pathogen

A microorganism that causes disease

macrophage

A type of white blood cell that engulfs and destroys pathogens

coagulation

The process of becoming viscous or thickened into a coherent mass: the forming of clots

electrolyte

Minerals (such as sodium, calcium, and potassium) in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge