lymphatic and immune system

lacteals

specialized structures of the lymphatic system that absorb those fats that cannot be transported in the cells of the lacteals

interstitial fluid

aka intercellular or tissue fluid— 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 the blood circulatory system

lymphatic capillaries

microscopic blin ended tubes located near the surface of the body with capillary walls that are only one cell in thickness

lymphatic vessels

located deeper within the tissues

right lymphatic duct

collects lymph from the right side of the head and neck the URQ of the body and right arm

subclavian

vein on the proximal part of the main vein of the arm

thoracic duct

largest lymphatic vessel in the body and collects lymph from the left side of the head and neck

lymph node

contains specialized lymphocytes that are capable of destroying pathogens

cervical lymph nodes

located along the sides of neck

cervic

neck

axillary lymph nodes

located under the arms in the area known as the armpits

axill

armpit

inguinal lymph nodes

located in the inguinal area of the lower abdomen

inguin

groin

lymphocytes

akak lymphoid cells— leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells

antigen

substance that the body regards as being foregin

natural killer cells

plays and important role in the killing of cancer cells and cells infected by viruses

B cells

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

originate in thymus but play a central role in cell mediate immunity

Cytokines

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

interferons

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

interleukins

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

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

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

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

lingual tonsils

located at the base of the tongue (arent 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

sac like mass of lymphoid tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen

hemolytic

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

pathogens

disease producing microorganisms

allergens

which are substances that produce allergic reactions

toxins

poisonous or harmful substances

malignant cells

potentially life threating cancer cells

intact skin

wraps the body in a physical barrier to prevent invading organisms from entering the body

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

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

antigen antibody reaction

aka immune reaction— involves binding antigens to antibodies

tolerance

refers to an acquired unresponsiveness to a specific antigen

antibody

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

immunoglobulins

bind with 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

phag/o

eat or swallow

phagocytosis

process of destroying pathogens by surrounding and swallowing them

monocytes

leukocytes that provide immunological defenses against many infectious organisms

macrophage

type of leukocyte that surrounds and kills invading cells

-phage

cell that eats

dendritic cells

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

complement system

group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form, can compliment the ability of antibodies to ward off pathogens

complement

means to 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

aquired immunity

obtained by having had a contagious disease

vaccine

preparation containing an antigen consisting of whole or partial disease causing organisms

allergist

specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity

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

immun

protected

lymphologist

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

oncologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating malignant disorders such as tumors and cancer

onc

tumor

lymphadenitis

aka swollen glands— inflammation of the lymph nodes

lymphaden

lymph node

lymphadenopathy

any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes

lymphangioma

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

ruptured spleen

medical emergency that occurs when the covering of the spleen is torns

splenomegaly

abnormal enlargement of the spleen

lymphoscintigraphy

diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformation 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 in the beginning in the feet and progressing into the ankles and upward

secondary lymphedema

caused by damage to lymphatic vessels that is most frequently due to cancer treatment

bioimpedance spectroscopy

noninvasive method of diagnosing lymphedema

allergic reaction

occurs when the body’s immune system reacts toa harmless allergen such as pollen food etc

allergy

aka hypersensitivity— overreaction by the body to a particular antigen

allergen

substance that produced and allergic reaction in an individual

localized allergic response

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

anaphylaxis

aka systemic reaction— severe response to an allergen

antihistamines

medications administered to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergy to wind borne pollens and other allergies

autoimmune disorder

large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues

immunodeficiency disorder

occurs when the immune response is compromised

severe combined immunodeficiency

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

aka HIV— blood borne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system causing it to progressively fail leaving the body at risk of developing many life threating infections

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

aka AIDS— most advanced fatal stage of an HIV infection

opportunistic infection

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

kaposi’s sarcoma

an example of an opportunistic infection that is frequently associated with HIV

ELISA

enzyme linked immunosorbent assay— blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies

immunotherapy

aka biological therapy— disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response

synthetic immunoglobulins

aka immune serum— used as a post exposure preventive measure against certain viruses

synthetic interferon

used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis hepatitis C and some cancers

monoclonal antibodies

class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells

immunosuppression

treatment to repress or interfere with the ability of the immune system to response to stimulation by antigens

immunosuppressant

substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune response

corticosteroid drug

synthetic hormone that resembles the cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands