Blood, lymphatic and immune systems

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Infectious disease caused the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that destroys the CD4 (helper T) cells of the immune system to such an extent that the patient falls victim to infections that usually do not affect healthy individuals (opportunistic infections)

coagulation disorders

Any disruption or impairment in the ability to form blood clots or control bleeding

disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abnormal blood clotting in small vessels throughout the body that cuts off the supply of oxygen to distal tissues, resulting in damage to body organs

hemophilia

Congenital hereditary disorder characterized by a deficiency in clotting factor VIII or clotting factor IX, resulting in prolonged bleeding; also called bleeder’s disease

thrombocytopenia

Abnormal decrease in platelets caused by low production of platelets or their increased destruction in the blood vessels, spleen, or liver

graft rejection

Process in which a recipient’s immune system identifies the transplanted graft as “foreign” and attacks or destroys it

hemoglobinopathy

Any disorder caused by abnormalities in the hemoglobin molecule

graft versus host disease

Complication that occurs following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant in which the transplant produces antibodies against the recipient’s organs, commonly severely enough to cause death

infectious mononucleosis

Acute infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that primarily affects young adults and children and causes fatigue, malaise, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy of the neck or armpits

kaposi sarcoma

Cancer caused by the human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) that mainly affects the skin and mucous membranes but may also cause extensive visceral organ involvement

lymphedema

Swelling, primarily in a single arm or leg, resulting from an accumulation of lymph within tissues caused by obstruction or disease in the lymph vessels

lymphoma

Any malignancy involving lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, or both) that commonly affects lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissue

Hodgkins lymphoma

Malignancy of B cells that occurs in lymph nodes of the neck or chest and may spread to nearby lymph nodes and the spleen and sometimes to the bone marrow

non-hodgkins lymphoma

Any malignancy of B cells, T cells, or NK cells that does not involve Reed-Sternberg cells

multiple myeloma

Malignancy of the bone marrow that affects plasma cells, leading to proliferation of abnormal antibodies, destruction of healthy bone marrow cells, and weakening of bone tissue

sepsis

Presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood

systemic lupus eyrthematosus

Widespread autoimmune disease that affects the skin, brain, kidneys, and joints and causes chronic inflammation

thrombocythemia

Overproduction of platelets, leading to thrombosis or bleeding disorders as a result of platelet malformations

autoimmunity

responses where the immune system fails to recognize its own tissue

hypersensitivity

abnormally heightened immune responses

immunodeficiencies

depressed immune responses

hematology

the branch of medicine that studies blood cells, blood-clotting mechanisms, bone marrow, and lymph nodes

allergy and immunology

the branch of medicine involving disorders of the immune system, including asthma and anaphylaxis, adverse reactions to drugs, autoimmune diseases, organ transplantations, and malignancies of the immune system.

erythropenia, erythrocytopenia

a deficiency in the number of erythrocytes

hypochromia

a condition in which red blood cells have less color than normal, indicating reduced hemoglobin content.

exacerbations

flare ups of a disease or condition, often characterized by a worsening of symptoms or increased severity.

remissions

periods of improvement or recovery in a disease, often seen in chronic conditions.

antigens

substances that trigger an immune response, often found on the surface of cells and tissues.

antibodies

proteins produced by the immune system in response to antigens, helping to neutralize or destroy them. Found in plasma

aplastic anemia

a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells, leading to fatigue, increased risk of infections, and uncontrolled bleeding. It can result from various factors including autoimmune diseases, exposure to toxins, or certain medications.

folic-acid deficiency anemia

a type of anemia caused by insufficient levels of folic acid, leading to the production of abnormally large red blood cells. It can result in fatigue, weakness, and other complications.

hemolytic anemia

a condition characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells, leading to a shortage of these cells in the bloodstream. Symptoms may include fatigue, jaundice, and an increased heart rate.

iron-deficiency anemia

a common type of anemia caused by a lack of iron, leading to reduced hemoglobin levels and smaller red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.

pernicious anemia

a type of anemia resulting from the body's inability to absorb vitamin B12 due to a lack of intrinsic factor. This leads to the production of large, abnormal red blood cells and can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and neurological issues.

sickle cell anemia

a genetic disorder that results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin, causing red blood cells to become crescent-shaped. This leads to blockages in blood vessels and can cause pain, fatigue, and increased risk of infections.

antinuclear antibody

Test that identifies the antibodies that attack the nucleus of the individual’s own body cells (autoantibodies)

blood culture

Test to determine the presence of pathogens in the bloodstream

complete blood count

Series of tests that includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cell counts, platelet count, and differential (diff) count

monospot

Nonspecific rapid serological test for the presence of the heterophile antibody, which develops several days after infection by Epstein-Barr virus, the organism that causes infectious mononucleosis

partial thromboplastin time

Screening test for deficiencies in clotting factors by measuring the length of time it takes blood to clot

prothrombin time

Test used to detect and diagnose bleeding disorders or excessive clotting disorders

bone marrow magnetic resonance imaging

Highly sensitive imaging procedure that detects lesions and changes in bone tissue and bone marrow, especially in diagnosing multiple myeloma

lymphangiography

Visualization of lymph channels and lymph nodes using a contrast medium to determine blockages or other pathologies of the lymphatic system

lymphoscintigraphy

Introduction of a radioactive tracer into the lymph channels to determine lymph flow, identify obstructions, and locate the sentinel node

bone marrow aspiration

Removal of bone marrow (usually from the pelvis) for microscopic examination using a thin aspirating needle

bone marrow transplant

Infusion of healthy bone marrow stem cells after destroying the diseased bone marrow by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both and commonly used to treat leukemia, aplastic anemia, and certain cancers

lymphadenectomy

Removal of lymph nodes, especially in surgical procedures undertaken to remove malignant tissue, in an effort to control the spread of cancer

sentinel node excision

Removal of the first node (sentinel node) that receives drainage from cancer-containing areas and the one most likely to contain malignant cells

immunotherapy

Any form of treatment that alters, enhances, stimulates, or restores the body’s own natural immune mechanisms to treat diseases; also called biological therapy

immunoglobin therapy

Treatment using antibody mixtures, administered via intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular routes

plasmapheresis

Dialysis procedure that removes and discards the patient’s plasma containing the autoantibodies responsible for tissue destruction in autoimmunity and returns the blood cells to the patient suspended in the plasma of a donor

transfusion

Infusion of blood or blood products from one person (donor) to another (recipient)