Chapter 7.2

Lymph fluid (lymph)

Fluid within the lymph system; once interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic system become lymph

Lymph capillaries

• Microscopic lymph vessels located in the interstitial space between body cells and within the cardiovascular capillary beds

• Absorb excess interstitial fluid, excess proteins, and waste

Lymph vessels

An extensive network of tubes that transport lymph through the lymphatic system

Lymph nodes

Filter foreign substances (pathogens, toxins, cancer cells) and waste products or cellular metabolism from lymph

Lact/o

Milk

Lymph ducts

The two great lymphatic vessels - right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct - that return the fluid to the veinous circulatory system

Axillary lymph nodes

Lymph nodes located in the axillae/armpits

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpits

Cervical lymph nodes

Lymph nodes located in the cervical region

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck

Inguinal lymph nodes

Lymph nodes in the Inguinal/groin area

Mediastinal lymph nodes

Lymph nodes in the mediastinum

Mediastinum

The central cavity of the chest between the lungs

Mesenteric lymph nodes

Lymph glands in the mesentary

Mesentery

A curtain-like layer of visceral peritoneum that anchors sections of the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall

Tonsil

Any of the four lymphoid tissues within the walls of the nasopharynx or oropharynx

Lymphoid

Tissues, organs (lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus, or cells (lymphocytes) associated with the lymphatic system

Pharyngeal tonsil aka adenoid

A single lymphoid mass located in the superior nasopharynx; adenoid is often used to describe chronic hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil

Thymus

• located in the mediastinum above the heart

• Essential for proper development of the immune system, especially in childhood

• It modifies lymphocytes to become T lymphocytes

Spleen

Optimizes immune response as a warehouse to long-lived memory B cells generated by vaccines

Intracellular

Fluid inside a cell

Intravascular fluid

Fluid inside a vessel - blood or lymph

Extracellular fluid

Any fluid that exists outside of cells

Interstitial fluid

Fluid that exists between cells

Immune

The state of being protected from specific infections and disease

Innate (natural) nonspecific immunity

• physical and chemical barriers - structures that act like walls or pits filled with toxic chemical

• The skin, mucous membranes, sweat, and tears

Innate (natural) specific immunity

The cells, chemicals, and inflammatory processes that act like “guard dogs” that are programmed to attack any pathogens that enters, but can opt be modified to target specific pathogens

Passive adaptive immunity

The body receives antibodies produced by another human or animal

Active adaptive immunity

The body makes its own antibodies in response to a foreign antigen

Humoral

Pertaining to fluid

Antigen

An identifying marker (usually a protein or a part of a molecule) on a cell/organism

Autoimmune disorder

An immune reaction directed against a person’s own tissue; the body targets one’s own antibodies as foreign

Antibody/immunoglobulin

A protein molecule made by plasma B cells in response to a foreign antigen; each antibody is unique and attacks one specific type of foreign invader

Normal body flora

Generally harmless microorganisms that exists on the skin or in the GI tract

Nosocomial infection

An infection acquired while in the hospital/healthcare setting

Bacteria

A single-called microscopic organism bound by a membrane that has organelles, but not nucleus

Toxin

A poisonous substance formed by a cell or organism; it disrupts normal human cell function

Mutation

A permanent change from the original cell’s DNA/genetic code to a different and often less specialized type of cell

B lymphocytes

Are the antibody- producing cells of the body

T lymphocytes

Have differentiated in the thymus

Memory cells

Specialized T and B lymphocytes that provide long-term immunity

Aden/o

Gland

Edema

Excessive accumulation of serous fluid between cells within tissue (fluid retention)

Lymphdenitis

Inflammation and/or infection of a lymph node

Lymphadenopathy

A general term for any disease of the lymph nodes

Lymphaden/o

Lymph node

Lymphangi/o

Lymph vessel

Lymphedema

Accumulation of fluid within tissue that causes swelling due to the obstruction of lymphatic flow

Tonsillitis

Infection of a tonsil

-megaly

Abnormally enlarged

Contagious

An infection that can be easily transmitted from person to person

Immunosupression

The active suppression of the immune system (by an immunosuppressant), thus weakening the immune system and reducing its ability to fight off infections and diseases

Opportunistic infection

An infection caused by a pathogenic organism because the host has lowered resistance/is immunocompromised

Allergen

An antigen/a substance that causes a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction

Anaphylaxis

A severe hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction that is life-threatening

Histamine

A compound released from cells because of injury or an allergic immune response causes: vasodilation, increase secretions, itching, tissue swelling

Hypersensitivity

An excessive immune response to a substance (antigen) that typically does not cause a reaction in most people

Urticaria

Hives; a rash of swollen, pale-red, raised lesion called wheals that induce itching

Immunology

The study of/specialist in the immune system and its disorders

Attenuate

To weaken; attenuated vaccines are made from weakened strains or structures of a pathogen

Immunize

To make immune; to make one resistant to an infectious disease - artificially via vaccination or naturally via recovering from an infection

Vaccine

A preparation that generates active immunity by stimulating the body to produce antibodies

-ectomy

Surgical excision

Lymph node biopsy

The removal of a piece of a lymph node for examination; typically to diagnose infections, lymphomas, or immune system diseases

Splenectomy

Surgical excision (to cut out)/removal of the spleen

Antihistamine

An agent that blocks/inhibits histamines; treats allergic symptoms by its antagonistic action which blocks histamine receptors

Antipruritic

An agent that relieves itching