Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems Medical Terminology

Comprehensive review flashcards covering medical word parts, blood elements, cardiovascular pathways, lymphatic structures, disease classifications, and immunological defenses.

agglutin/o

A combining form meaning clumping or sticking together.

kary/o

A combining form meaning nucleus.

myel/o

A combining form meaning bone marrow or spinal cord.

phleb/o

A combining form meaning vein.

thromb/o

A combining form meaning clot.

-blast

A suffix denoting a developing cell.

-crit

A suffix meaning to separate.

-pheresis

A suffix meaning removal or separation.

-poiesis

A suffix meaning formation or production.

-rrhage

A suffix meaning rupture or bursting forth (of blood).

Hematocrit

The percentage of total blood volume that consists of erythrocytes (red blood cells) compared to plasma.

Blood pH

The physiological pH range of normal human blood, which is strictly maintained between $7.35$ and $7.45$.

Erythropoiesis (EPO)

The physiological process of producing red blood cells within the red bone marrow, stimulated when blood oxygen ($O_2$) levels drop.

Erythrocyte

A biconcave, enucleated formed element lacking organelles that contains hemoglobin to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide, possessing a lifespan of about $120\,\text{days}$.

Thrombocyte

Also called a platelet; a formed element consisting of cell fragments broken off from megakaryocytes that aids in blood clotting and coagulation, with normal counts around $250{,}000\text{--}500{,}000$ in the body.

Plasma

The liquid component composing more than half of whole blood, consisting of $92\%$ water along with hormones, sugars, salts, waste products, and functional proteins.

Albumin

A plasma protein responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure and proper water volume balance within the bloodstream.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein essential for blood coagulation that forms molecular bridges between platelets during clot formation.

Granulocytes

A category of polymorphonuclear leukocytes characterized by visible cytoplasmic granules, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Agranulocytes

A category of mononuclear leukocytes lacking cytoplasmic granules, consisting of lymphocytes and monocytes.

Neutrophils

The most prevalent phagocytic granulocyte, accounting for $50\%\text{--}70\%$ of all leukocytes, responsible for engulfing and destroying harmful pathogens.

Eosinophils

Granulocytes comprising $2\%\text{--}4\%$ of leukocytes that release cytotoxic chemicals to destroy parasitic worms and cancer cells, and participate in allergic reactions.

Basophils

The least common granulocyte ($0.5\%\text{--}1\%$ of leukocytes) containing histamine, which triggers inflammatory and allergic reactions.

Monocytes

Agranulocytes comprising $3\%\text{--}8\%$ of leukocytes that ingest and remove cellular debris and dead tissue, capable of differentiating into macrophages or dendritic cells.

Capillaries

Microscopic blood vessels forming extensive beds that link arterioles to venules, serving as the site of nutrient, gas, and waste exchange with surrounding tissues.

Systemic Circulation

The division of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to all body tissues and returns deoxygenated blood and wastes back to the heart.

Rojo

Red

Thalassemia

A hereditary blood disorder resulting from a genetic mutation in the globin chains (such as $\beta$-globin) of hemoglobin, leading to defective red blood cells and anemia.

Hemoglobin fetal (HbF)

A specialized embryonic and fetal variant of hemoglobin that possesses a higher binding affinity for oxygen than maternal adult hemoglobin.

Apheresis

A clinical procedure in which whole blood is removed, separated into its individual component parts, and partially returned to the donor.

Infectious Mononucleosis

An acute infectious illness usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), marked by atypical lymphocytes, monocytes, fever, and lymphadenopathy; colloquially termed 'mono' or 'kissing disease.'

Splenomegaly

Abnormal enlargement of the spleen often resulting from excessive destruction of blood cells, which can trigger anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

A broad group of malignant lymphomas that originate in lymphocytes, covering all forms of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphoma (e.g., B-cell and T-cell lymphomas).

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

A distinct malignant neoplasm of lymphoid tissue primarily involving the spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.

Polycythemia

A bone marrow disorder characterized by an abnormal excess in the production of red blood cells, causing increased blood viscosity and impaired flow.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Severe immune suppression caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, leading to progressive destruction of infection-fighting T lymphocytes.

Autoimmune Disease

A pathological state in which the immune system fails to differentiate self from non-self, mistakenly mounting antibody and cellular attacks against healthy body tissues.

Acute

A disease or injury classification characterized by rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration.

Chronic

A disease or condition classification characterized by long duration and slow progression over time.

Congenital

A medical condition or anomaly present at birth, resulting from either genetic abnormalities or maternal environmental exposures.

Convalescence

The progressive stage of gradual physical recovery and restoration of health following an injury, surgery, or illness.

Endemic

Pertaining to a disease that maintains an ongoing, predictable prevalence restricted to a specific human population or geographic territory.

Epidemic

A sudden, widespread outbreak of an infectious illness that spreads rapidly through an entire community, population, or geographical area.

Hypersensitivity

An altered, exaggerated immune response to an otherwise harmless environmental substance (allergen).

Iatrogenic

An unintended infection, adverse effect, or secondary disease arising as a direct complication of medical treatment, surgery, or diagnostic intervention.

Idiopathic

Pertaining to any disease, condition, or pathological symptom arising spontaneously without an identifiable etiology or known cause.

Biological Agents

Naturally occurring or genetically altered microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, released deliberately as weapons in bioterrorism to cause morbidity and mortality.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

An adaptive immune defense orchestrated by mature T lymphocytes that directly combat intracellular pathogens, foreign grafts, and cancerous cells.

Humoral Immunity

The branch of adaptive immunity mediated by B lymphocytes that differentiate into plasma cells to secrete antigen-specific antibodies into blood and lymph.

Cytotoxic T Cells (T8 Cells)

Effector T lymphocytes bearing CD8 markers that directly recognize, bind to, and destroy target cells presenting foreign or altered antigens.

Helper T Cells (T4 Cells)

Regulatory T lymphocytes bearing CD4 markers that assist B cells in antigen recognition and trigger immunoglobulin production through cytokine secretion.

Suppressor T Cells

Specialized T lymphocytes that dampen or terminate immune effector responses once an antigenic threat has been controlled.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG)

The most abundant antibody isotype, making up approximately $75\%$ of all circulating immunoglobulins; provides systemic defense and is the only class that crosses the placental barrier.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

An antibody class providing mucosal immunity, found in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, saliva, tears, and breast milk.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)

An antibody isotype secreted by plasma cells that binds to mast cells and basophils, stimulating histamine release during allergic and inflammatory responses.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM)

A large pentameric antibody produced early during primary blood infections that serves as an exceptionally potent agglutinating agent.

Natural Immunity

Innate, non-specific resistance present from birth, conferred by physiological, anatomic, and genetic characteristics specific to a species, race, or sex.