ALHS1090: Blood, Lymph, and Immune System

Medical Terminology

What are the two main components of blood?

Plasma and formed elements

What are the formed elements of blood?

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets

What is plasma?

Clear extracellular fluid of blood

What do erythrocytes do?

Transport oxygen

What do leukocytes do?

Fight infection and aid tissue repair

What do platelets do?

Help blood clot when injuries cause bleeding

What does blood transport?

Oxygen and nutrients

What does blood remove?

CO2 and metabolic waste

What structures make up the lymphatic system?

Lymph vessels, lymph fluid, lymph nodes, and lymphatic organs

What are the main lymphatic organs?

Tonsils, thymus, and spleen

What does the lymphatic system do?

Drains fluid, transports fats, produces immune cells, defends body

What does lymph fluid carry?

Immune cells and waste

What are lymph nodes?

small masses of lymph tissue also called lymph gland

Where are major lymph node groups located?

Cervical, axillary, inguinal regions

What happens to lymph nodes during infection?

They swell and become tender

What is the function of lymph nodes?

Filter lymph

What does the spleen do?

Filters lymph, produces WBC, destroys old RBCs, stores RBCs

Is the spleen essential?

No

What hormone does the thymus secrete?

Thymosin

What does thymosin do?

Stimulates the production of T cells in red bone marrow

What do T cells do?

Provide defense against disease by attacking and destroying foreign or abnormal cells

What do tonsils do?

Filter lymph and destroy bacteria entering the mouth and throat

What is the role of leukocytes?

Defend against foreign invaders

What are lymphocytes?

Immune cells that fight disease

What is leukemia?

Cancer of blood forming tissue, proliferation of white blood cells in circulation

What part of the body does leukemia primarily affect?

Bone marrow and blood-forming tissues

Symptoms of leukemia

Fatigue, malaise, easy bruising, and enlarged organs (splenomegaly/hepatomegaly)

Could be asymptomatic

What happens to white blood cells in leukemia?

They proliferate abnormally and don’t function properly

Why does leukemia increase infection risk?

WBCs are abnormal and ineffective

Why do patients bruise easily in leukemia?

Why do patients bruise easily in leukemia?

What is splenomegaly and how is it related to leukemia?

What is splenomegaly and how is it related to leukemia?

What is hepatomegaly?

Enlarged liver

Treatment for leukemia

Chemo, bone marrow transplant, blood transfusion, stem cell transplantation, and antibiotics for infection

What is a major goal of leukemia treatment?

Destroy abnormal cells and restore normal blood production

What is a homologous bone marrow transplant?

Transplant from a donor

What is lymphedema?

Abnormal accumulation of lymph causing swelling

What causes lymphedema?

Blockage or damage to lymphatic vessels

Why does fluid accumulate in lymphedema?

Lymph cannot drain properly

What surgical procedure commonly leads to lymphedema?

Mastectomy

Symptoms of lymphedema

Swelling, thick skin, and infection

What common cardiovascular symptoms may appear as lymphedema progresses?

Tachycardia, palpitation, and increased incidence of infections

Why are infections common in lymphedema?

Stagnant lymph promotes bacterial growth

Treatment for lymphedema

Compression, massage, gentle exercise, and surgery for drainage

What is SLE?

Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease

What causes tissue damage in SLE?

Autoantibodies attacking the body’s tissues

What organs can SLE affect?

Skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system

What triggers SLE flare-ups?

Sun exposure

Key symptom for SLE?

Butterfly-shaped rash or erythema on the face

What kind of symptoms slowly progress over the years for SLE?

Fever, fatigue, joint pain, and malaise

Who is most commonly affected by SLE?

Young women (20s–40s)

What are the treatments for SLE?

Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, anti inflammatory drugs (aspirin)

Why are immunosuppressants used in SLE?

To reduce immune system overactivity

What is Kaposi sarcoma?

Lymphatic cancer

What infection is Kaposi sarcoma strongly associated with?

HIV/AIDS

What do Kaposi sarcoma lesions look like?

Purple/red macules, papules, nodules

Where do lesions usually first appear in Kaposi Sarcoma?

Lower extremities

How does Kaposi sarcoma spread?

To skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs

What determines treatment approach? Kaposi Sarcoma

Stage of HIV and degree of metastasis

Common treatment for Koposi Sarcoma

radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy.