Lymph and Immune

Villi

Small finger like projections that lines the small intestine

lacteals

specialized structures of the lymphatic system that absorb those fats that cannot be transported by the bloodstream

Intersitial fluid

aka intercellular or tissue fluid, is plasma from arterial blood that flows out of the arterioles and into the capillaries, and then flows into the spaces between the cells of the tissues

Lymph

made up of the remaining 10% of the returning interstitial fluid

lymphatic circulatory system

works closely with blood circulatory system, often referred to as the secondary circulatory system

Lymphatic capillaries

microscopic, bline-ended (sealed on one end) tubes located near the surface of the body with capillary walls that are only one cell in thickness, separate briefly to allow the lymph to enter the capillary

lymphatic vessels

lymph flows from the lymphatic capillaries into them

right lymphatic duct

collects lymph from the right side of the head and neck, the upper right quadrant of the body, and the right arm

subclavian

the proximal part of the main vein of the arm

thoracic duct

largest lymphatic vessels in the body, collects lymph from the left side of the head and neck, the upper left quadrant of the trunk, the left arm, the entire lower portion of the trunk, and both legs

lymph node

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 area known as the armpits

inguinal lymph nodes

located in the inguinal (groin) area of the lower abdomen

inguin

groin

lymphocytes

aka lymphoid cells, leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells

antigen

any substance that the body regards as being foreign

Maturation

the process of becoming mature

Differentiation

to be modified to perform a specific function

natural killer cells

imporant role in the killing of cancer cells and cells infected by viruses

B cells

aka B lymphocytes, specialized lymphocytes that produce antibodies

Plasma cells

develop from B cells and secrete a large volume of antibodies coded to destroy specific antigens

T cells

aka T lymphocytes, originate in the thymus, play a central role in cell-mediated immunity

Cytokines

a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells

interferons

produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells

Interleukins

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

lymphoid

pertaining to the lymphatic system or resembling lymph or lymphatic tissue

tonsils

three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and upper throat

Adenoids

aka 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

Palatine

the hard and soft palates that form the roof of the mouth

lingual tonsils

located at the base of the tongue; however they are not readily visible

Lingual

pertaining to the tongue

Thymus

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

vermiform appendix

aka appendix, hangs from the lower portion of the cecum, which is the first section of the large intestine

spleen

a sac-like mass of lymphoid tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just inferior to the diaphragm

hemolytic

function of destroying worn-out erythrocytes and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse

pathogens

disease-producing microorganisms

allergens

substnaces 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 to prevent invading organisms from entering the body

Intact

no cuts, scrapes, open sores, or breaks in the skin

acid mantle

makes it an inhospitable environment for most bacteria

respiratory system

traps breathed-in foreign matter with nose hairs and the moist mucous membrane lining of the respiratory system

Digestive system

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

lymphatic system

work with specialized leukocytes in specific ways to attack and destroy pathogens that have succeeded in entering the body

antigen-antibody reaction

aka immune reaction, involved binding antigens to antibodies

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 (immunoglobin)

Immunoglobins

bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response

Phagocytes

specialised 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

phag/o

eat or swallow

Phagocytosis

the process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them

Monocytes

leukocytes that provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms

macrophage

a type of leukocyte that surrounds and kills invading cells

Dendritic cells

speciallized leukocytes that patrol the body searching for antigens that produce infections

complement system

a group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form

Complement

complete or make whole

Immunity

the state of being resistant to a specific disease

Natural immunity

aka passive immunity, resistance to a disease present without the administration of an antigen or exposure to a disease

acquried immunity

obtained by having had a contagious disease

vaccinated

againt a contagious disease provides protection against that disease, such as measles or polio, without having been exposed to the risk of actually having the disease

vaccine

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

vaccination

provided protection against the disease; however, for some condition a a periodic booster is required to maintain the effectiveness of the immunization

allergist

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

infectious disease specialist

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

immunologist

specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system

immun

protected

lymphologist

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

oncologist

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

onc

tumor

Lymphadenitis

aka swollen glands, inflammation of the lymph nodes

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

angi

vessel

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

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 tissues

primary lymphedema

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

secondary lymphedema

caused by damage to lymphatic vessels that is most frequently due to cancer treatment, surgery, truma or burns

bioimpedance spectroscopy

noninvasive method of diagnosing lymphedema

allergic reactions

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

allergy

aka hypersensitivity, overreaction by the body to a particular antigen

localized allergic response

aka cellular response, includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen

systemic reaction

also described as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, a severe response to an allergen

scratch test

diagnostic test to identify commonly troublesome allergens such as tree pollen and ragweed

allergen-specific immunoglobulin E

a blood test, 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

histamine

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

autoimmune disorder

aka autoimmune disease, 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

severe combined immunodeficiency

an inheriteded condition in which abnormalities in the immune system caused an increased susceptibility to infection and failure to thrive as a result of infections

human immunodeficiency virus

aka HIV, a blood-borne 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

perinatally HIV

transmitted from a mother who is HIV+ to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breatfeeding

behaviorally aquired HIV

transmitted from a person who is HIV+ through unprotected sex or sharing needles

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

aka AIDS, most advanced and fatal stage of an HIV infection

opportunistic infection

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

debilitated

weakened by another condition