Chapter 7: Lymphatic and Immune Systems

allergist

specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity such as allergic reactions

immunologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system

oncologist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating malignant disorders such as tumors and cancer

lymphatic circulation

transports lymph from tissues throughout the body and eventually returns this fluid to the venous circulation

lymph

a clear, watery fluid that transports waste products and proteins out of the spaces between the cells of the body. it also destroys bacteria or other pathogens present in tissues

interstitial fluid

plasma from arterial blood that flows out of the capillaries and into the spaces between the cells. it transports food, oxygen and hormones to the cells

lymphatic capillaries

microscopic, blind-ended tubes located near the surface of the body. one cell is thickness- the cells separate briefly to allow lymph to enter the capillary, then close to force the flow of lymph forward

lymphatic vessels

located deeper within tissues, have valves to aid the flow of lymph

right lymphatic duct

collects lymph form the right side of the head and neck, the upper right quadrant of the body and the right arm. it empties into the right subclavian vein

thoracic duct

largest lymphatic vessel in the body. collects lymph from the left side of the head and neck, the upper left quadrant of the trunk, the left arm and the entire lower portion of the trunk and both legs. it empties into the left subclavian vein

lymph node

contains specialized lymphocytes that are capable of destroying pathogens. unfiltered lymph flows here and the lymphocytes destroy harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses and malignant cells. additional structures filter lymph to remove impurities

cervical lymph nodes

located along sides of neck

axillary lymph nodes

located in armpits

inguinal lymph nodes

located in groin area

tonsils

three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and upper throat. they prevent pathogens form entering the body through the nose and throat

lymphoid

pertaining to the lymphatic system or resembling lymph or lymphatic tissue

adenoids

nasopharyngeal tonsils/ located in the nasopharynx

palatine tonsils

located in the left and right sides of the throat in the area visible through the mouth

lingual tonsils

located at the base of the tongue

thymus

superior to the heart, composed largely of lymphoid tissue, endocrine gland that assists the immune system

peyer's patches

located in the walls of the ileum

vermiform appendix

hangs from lower portion of cecum

spleen

saclike mass of lymphoid tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. it filters microorganisms and other foreign material from the blood. forms lymphocytes and monocytes. has the hemolytic function of destroying worn-our RBCs and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse. it also stores extra erythrocytes and maintains the appropriate balance between these cells and the plasma in the blood

lymphadenitis

inflammation of the lymph nodes --> swollen glands

lymphadenopathy

any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes

lymphangioma

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

lymphaden/o

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lymph node

lymphangi/o

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lymph vessel

splen/o

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spleen

splenomegaly

abnormal enlargement of the spleen- can be due to bleeding caused by an injury, infectious disease or abnormal functioning of the immune system

splenorrhagia

bleeding from the spleen

lymphoscintigraphy

diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels

lymphedema

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

primary lymphedema

hereditary disorder due to malformation of the lymphatic system. most commonly produces swelling in the feet & legs

secondary lymphedema

caused by damage to the lymphatic system that most commonly produces swelling in the limb nearest to the damaged lymphatic vessels. cancer treatment and trauma are frequently causes

pathogens

disease-producing microorganisms

allergens

substances that produce allergic reactions

toxins

poisonous or harmful substances

malignant cells

potentially life-threatening cancer cells

intact skin

wraps the body in a physical barrier that prevents invading organisms from entering the body

respiratory system

traps breathed-in foreign matter with nose hairs and the moist mucous membrane lining of the respiratory system. the tonsils form a protective ring around the entrance of the throat. if foreign matter gets past these barriers, coughing and sneezing help to expel it

digestive system

uses the acids and enzymes produced by the stomach to destroy invaders that are swallowed or consumed with food

lymphatic system

structures and specialize white blood cells work together in specific ways to attack and destroy pathogens that have succeeded in entering the body

antigen-antibody reaction

labels a potentially dangerous antigen so it can be recognized, and destroyed, by other cells of the immune system

antigen

any substance that the body regards ad being foreign, and includes viruses, bacteria, toxins, and transplanted tissues

allergen

a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual

antibody

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

immunoglobulins

bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response. the 5 primary types, which are secreted by plasma cells, are also known as antibodies

plasma cells

specialized white blood cells that produce antibodies coded to destroy specific antigens

lymphocytes

white blood cells that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells. they undergo further maturation and differentiation in lymphoid tissues throughout the body, which allow them to act as specialized antibodies that are capable of attaching specific antigens

lymph/o

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lymph

-cyte

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cell

maturation

the process of becoming mature

differentiation

to be modified to perform a specific function

B cells

specialized lymphocytes that produce and secrete antibodies. each lymphocyte makes a different antibody that is capable of destroying a specific antigen. they are most effective against viruses and bacteria circulating in the blood

plasma B cell

when a B cell is confronted with an antigen that it is coded to destroy, it is transformed into this. these cells are capable of producing and secreting antibodies that are coded to destroy a specific antigen

dendritic cells

specialized white blood cells that patrol the body searching for antigens that produce infections. when such a cell is found, they grab, swallow and internally break apart the captured antigen

T cells

small lymphocytes that mature in the thymus as a result of the exposure to the hormone thymosin. they contribute to the immune defense by coordinating immune defenses and by killing infected cells on contact

interferon

a family of proteins produced by the T cells whose specialty is fighting viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication

lymphokines

produced by the T cells, direct the antigen-antibody response by signaling between the cells of the immune system. they attract macrophages to the infected site and prepare them to attack the invaders

macrophage

a type of red blood cell that surrounds and kills invading cells. they also remove dead cells and stimulate the action of other immune cells

phagocyte

a large white blood cell that can destroy substances such as cell debris, dust, pollen and pathogens by the process of phagocytosis

phag/o

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to eat or swallow

phagocytosis

the process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them

complement

a group of proteins that normally circulate the blood in an inactive form and are activated by contact with nonspecific antigens such as foreign blood cells or bacteria. it marks these foreign invaders and attracts phagocytes to destroy them

immunoglobulin G

most abundant class of antibodies, and are found in blood serum and lymph. these antibodies are active against bacteria, fungi, viruses and foreign particles

immunoglobulin A

the class of antibodies produced predominantly against ingested antigens. these antibodies are found in body secretions such as saliva, sweat or tears, and function to prevent the attachment of viruses and bacteria to epithelial surfaces that line most organs

immunoglobulin M

the class of antibodies that are found in circulating body fluids. these are the first antibodies to appear in response to an initial exposure to an antigen

immunoglobulin D

the class of antibodies found only on the surface of B cells. these antibodies are important in B cell activation

immunoglobulin E

the class of antibodies produced in the lungs, skin and mucous membranes. these antibodies are responsible for allergic reactions

immunity

the state of being resistant to a specific disease

natural immunity

immunity passed from the mother to her fetus before birth, only lasts a short time

passive immunity

immunity passed from mother to child after birth through breast milk

acquired (active) immunity

the production of antibodies against a specific antigen by the immune system either by contracting an infectious disease or by vaccination against a disease

immunization (vaccination)

providing protection for susceptible individuals from communicable diseases by the administration of a vaccine to provide acquired immunity against a specific disease

vaccine

a preparation containing an antigen, consisting of whole or partial disease-causing organisms, which have been killed or weakened

allergic reaction

occurs when the body's immune system reacts to a harmless allergen as if it were a dangerous invader

allergy

hypersensitivity, an overreaction by the body to a particular antigen

localized allergic response

cellular response, includes redness, itching and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen. although the body reacts mildly the first time it is exposed to an allergen, sensitivity is established, and future contacts can cause much more severe symptoms

systemic reaction

anaphylaxis, a severe response to an allergen. symptoms develop quickly. without medical aid, the patient can die within a few minutes

scratch test

a diagnostic test to identify commonly troublesome allergens. swelling and itching indicate an allergic reaction

antihistamines

medications administered to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever, which is a common allergy to wind-borne pollens and other types of allergies

histamine

a substance produced by the body that causes the itching, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes of an allergic reaction

autoimmune disorder

any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produced antibodies against its own tissues. this abnormal functioning of the immune system appears to be genetically transmitted and predominantly occurs in women during the childbearing years

immunodeficiency disorder

occurs when the immune response is compromised (weakened, reduced, absent or not functioning)

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

a blood-borne in which the virus damages or kills the cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail, this leaving the body at risk of developing many life-threatening opportunistic infections

opportunistic infection

caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce illness in healthy humans. however, when the host is debilitated, these pathogens are able to cause infection

debilitated

weakened by another condition

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

the most advanced, and fatal, stage of an HIV infection

kaposi's sarcoma

an opportunistic infection that is frequently associated with HIV. this cancer causes patched of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose and throat, or in other organs

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

a blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies

western blot test

a blood test that produces more accurate results than the ELISA test. it is performed to confirm the diagnosis when the results of the ELISA test are positive, which is necessary because sometimes the ELISA test produces a false positive

immunotherapy

disease treatment that involves either stimulation or repressing the immune response

immun/o

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