Lymph and Immune system

anti

against

carcin/o

cancerous

immun/o

immune, protection, safe

lymph/o

lymph, lymphatic tissue

lymphaden/o

lymph node, or gland

lymphangi/o

lymph vessel

neo-, ne/o

strange, new

-oma

tumor, neoplasm

onc/o

tumor

phag/o

eat, swallow

-plasm

formative material of cells

sarc/o

flesh, connective tissue

spleh/o

spleen

-tic

pertaining to

tox/o

poisonous, poison

lymphatic system

absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins through the lacteals of the small intestine. removes waste products from the tissues and cooperative w/ immune system in destroying pathogens, returned filtered lymph to the veins at base of the neck

lacteals

specialized structures of the lymphatic system that absorb those fats that cannot be transported by the bloodstream. then returned to the venous circulation system so they can be used as body nutrients

interstitial fluid (intercellular, tissue fluid)

plasma from the arterial blood that flows into the spaces between the cells of the tissues

lymph

made up of the remaining 10% of the interstitial fluid. clear watery fluid containing electrolytes and proteins. collects dead cells, debris and pathogens from tissues. it enters small capillaries, flowing through larger vessels and ducts toward the neck. lymph supports the immune system in defending against infections and disease

lymphatic circular system

is a network that transports lymph, which is essential for immune function, and depends on skeletal muscle contractions and movement to facilitate the flow of lymph back to the bloodstream.

lymphatic capillaries

tiny, bind-ended tubes w/ one cell think cells. the cells briefly separate to allow lymph to enter, then close, pushing the lymph upward

right lymphatic duct

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

thoracic duct

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

lymph nodes

small, bean shaped. contains specialized lymphocytes that are capable of destroying pathogens

cervical lymph nodes

located along the sides of the neck

axillary lymph nodes

located under the arms in the armpit area

inguinal lymph nodes

located in the inguinal (groin) area of lower abdomen

lymphocytes (lymphoid cells)

leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cell work together w. the body’s organs to defend the body against antigens

antigen

any substance that the body regards as foreign

natural body killers

play an important role in the killing of cancer and infected cells

B cells

specialized lymphocytes that produce antibodies most effective against viruses and bacteria. develops into plasma cell

plasma cells

develop from B cells and secrete large volumes of antibodies coded to destroy specific antibodies

T cells

originate from the thymus. play central role in cell-mediated immunity

cytokines

group of proteins such as interfons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells; these cells act as intracellular signals to begin the immune response.

interfons

produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells; activate the immune system, fight viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication and signals cells to increase their defenses.

interleukins

play multiple roles in immune system, including directing B and T cells to divide and proliferate

lymphoid

pertaining to the lymphatic system or lymphatic tissue

tonsils

three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and upper throat. prevents pathogens from entering respiratory system when breathing

adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils)

located in the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the pharynx.

palatine tonsils

located on the left and right sides of the throat in the area that is visible at the back of the mouth

lingual tonsils

located at the base of the tongue; not visible

thymus

mass of lymphoid tissue located above the heart, reaches its greatest size at puberty and becomes smaller with age

vermiform appendix (appendix)

hangs from the lower portion of the cecum, first section of the large intestine

hemolytic

destroying worn-out erythrocytes (red blood cells) and releasing hemoglobin for reuse

spleen

sac-like mass of lymphoid tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Filters microorganisms from the blood. forms lymphocytes and monocytes, has hemolytic function and stores extra erythrocytes.

intact skin

wraps the blood in a physical barrier to prevent invading organisms from entering the body. also covered in a acid mantle.

respiratory system

traps breathed in foreign matter w/ nose hairs and moist mucous membrane lining. coughing and sneezing expel foreign matter

digestive system

uses the acid and enzymes produced by the stomach to destroy invaders that are swallowed or consumed w. food

lymphatic system

leukocytes work together in specific ways to destroy pathogens

antigen-antibody reaction (immune reaction)

binding antigens to antibodies; this reaction labels a potentially dangerous antigen so it can be recognized and destroyed by other cells of the immune system

tolerance

refers to an acquired unresponsiveness to a specific antigen

antibody

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

immunoglobins

bind w/ specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response

phagocytes

specialized leukocytes that act as part of the antigen-antibody reaction by destroying substances such as cell debris, dust, pollen, and pathogens by the process of phagocytosis

phagocytosis

process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them

monocytes

leukocytes that provide immunological defense against many infectious organisms, when monocytes leave the bloodstream and enter into the tissue, they become macrophages and dendritic cells

macrophages

type of leukocytes that surrounds and kills invading cells. also remove dead cells and stimulate the action of other immune cells

dendritic cells

specialized leukocytes that patrol the body searching for antigens that produce infections. when such a cell is found, it grabs it, swallows it and alerts B and T cells to act against the specific antigen

complement system

a group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form; when needed, these cells complement the ability of antibodies to ward off pathogens by combining with them to dissolve and remove pathogenic bacteria and other foreign cells.

complement

means to complete or make whole

immunity

state of being resistant to a specific disease. This resistance can be present naturally, or it can be acquired.

natural immunity (passive immunity)

resistance to a disease present without the administration of an antigen or exposure to a disease.

acquired immunity

obtained by having had a contagious disease

vaccine

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

vaccination

provides protection against the disease; however, fo

allergist

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

infectious disease specialist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites

immunologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system

lymphologist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the lymphatic system

oncologist

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

lymphadenitis (swollen glands)

inflammation of the lymph nodes

lymphadenopathy

any disease process affecting a lymph node/s

lymphangioma

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

ruptured spleen

medical emergency that occurs when the covering of the spleen is torn, usually as the result of a blow to the abdomen

splenomegaly

an abnormal enlargement of the spleen

lymphoscintigraphy

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

lymphedema

swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissue. caused by damage to the lymphatic system that from draining properly

primary lymphedema

hereditary condition of the lymphatic system that develops with swelling beginning in the feet and progressing into the ankles and upward direction along the legs. females and puberty

secondary lymphedema

caused by damage to lymphatic vessels that is most frequently due to cancer treatment, surgery, trauma and burns.

bioimpedance spectroscopy

a non-invasive method of diagnosing lymphedema measures the resistance to an electric current passed through the affected limb with an abnormally low results showing a buildup of lymph

allergic reaction

occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to a harmless allergen such as pollen, food, or animal dander as if it were a dangerous invader

allergy (hypersensitivity)

an overreaction of the body to a particular allergen

allergen

substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual

localized allergic response (cellular response)

includes redness, itching, burning where the skin has come in contact with an allergen

systemic reaction

also describes as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, is a severe response to an allergen, the symptoms of this response develop quickly, and without prompt medical aid, the patient can die within a few minutes

scratch test

a diagnostic test to identify commonly troublesome allergens such as tree pollen and ragweed. Swelling and itching indicate an allergic reaction

allergen-specific immunoglobin E

blood test is sometimes used to determine whether a person is allergic to a particular substance.

antihistamines

medications administered to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergy to wind-borne pollens and other types of allergies. Prevents effects of histamine

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 produces antibodies against its own tissues, mistaking healthy cells, tissues, or organs for antigens.

immunodeficiency disorder

occurs when the immune response is compromised

compromised

weakened or not functional properly

severe combined immunodefiency

is an inherited condition in which abnormalities in the immune system cause an increased susceptibility to infection and failure to thrive as a result of infections.

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

a bloodborne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail, thus leaving the body at risk of developing many life-threatening opportunistic infections. acquired perinatally or behaviorally

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

“the most advanced and fatal stage of an HIV infection.”

opportunistic infection

infection caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans

debilitated

weakens by another condition

kaposi’s sarcoma

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

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood test used to screen the presence of HIV antibodies, as well as Lyme disease and other infectious conditions

HIV differentiation assay

will be used to confirm a positive ELISA test