Chapter 12: White Blood Cell Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, cell classifications, diagnostic findings, and disease characteristics from Chapter 12: White Blood Cell Disorders.

WBCs (Leukocytes)

Blood cells that protect against infection, classified into three major categories of cell types.

Bone marrow

Tissue that produces white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets.

Innate immunity

The body's 1st line of defense, involving neutrophils, macrophages, and the inflammatory response.

Adaptive immunity

Specific and acquired immunity that involves B and T lymphocytes as well as memory cells.

Leukemia

Proliferation of cancerous white blood cells of a specific cell type; adults account for $90\text{\%}$ of cases and it is the 3rd most common cancer type in children.

Lymphoma

Solid tumors of lymphoid cells involving T and B cells, categorized as Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

A disorder characterized by dysplastic development of one or more stem cells in the bone marrow.

Multiple myeloma

Hematologic neoplasm involving excessive proliferation of plasma cells (derived from B lymphocytes) that secrete immunoglobulins (Igs).

Lymphatic System

An anatomical system consisting of the tonsils, cervical lymph nodes, right lymphatic duct, thoracic duct, thymus gland, axillary lymph nodes, spleen, Peyer's patches, inguinal lymph nodes, and red bone marrow.

Macrophage Phagocytosis

Process in which a leukocyte/macrophage moves out of capillary pores to engulf and capture an antigen, then uses lysosomal enzymes to digest it.

Neutrophils

White blood cells accounting for $40\text{\%}$–$80\text{\%}$ of circulating WBCs; they act as first responders, perform phagocytosis, and release enzymes and free radicals to destroy microorganisms.

Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)

Mature neutrophils, also known as "Segs".

Bands

Immature neutrophils.

Shift to the left

CBC differential result showing higher numbers of immature WBCs (blasts) present, caused by infection, leukemia, or other cancer.

Shift to the right

CBC differential result showing higher numbers of mature WBCs present, caused by leukemias or other cancers.

Leukemoid reaction

An elevation in total WBC count above 50,000/\frac{\text{cells}}{\text{\textmu L}} due to a cause other than leukemia.

Neutrophilia

An elevation of neutrophil count greater than 7,000/\text{\textmu L} with total WBC less than 11,000/\text{\textmu L}; often elevated by smoking.

Neutropenia

Condition defined as having less than 1,500\text{ neutrophils}/\text{\textmu L}, which increases susceptibility to infection and diminishes external signs of inflammation.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL)

Form of lymphoma accounting for ~$20\text{\%}$ of lymphomas, most common in individuals aged 15 to 20 years and over 50 years.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)

Form of lymphoma accounting for over $80\text{\%}$ of lymphoma cases, more common in older individuals.

Tumor lysis syndrome

An oncology complication seen most often 48 to 72 hours after initiation of cancer treatment that may cause acute kidney injury.

Myelocytic leukemia

Leukemia subtype also called myelogenous, myeloblastic, or nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Lymphocytic leukemia

Leukemia subtype also called lymphoblastic or lymphogenous leukemia.