Chapter 12: Immunologic and Hematologic Systems

cyt/o

cell

myel/o

bone marrow

hem/o, hemat/o

blood

erythr/o, erythrocyt/o

red blood cell

leuk/o, leukocyt/o

white blood cell

lymph/o, lymphocyt/o

lymphocyte

thromb/o

blood clot

thrombocyt/o

platelet, thrombocyte

immune/o

immunity, immune system

-emia, -hemia

condition of blood

-penia

decrease in, deficiency in

-poiesis

formation, production

stasis

equilibrium

auto-

self

allo-

other, different

Plasma

The liquid component of blood that is roughly 90 percent water and 10 percent nutrients, electrolytes, gases, albumin, clotting factors, antibodies, wastes, enzymes, and hormones.

Plasmapheresis

A procedure by which plasma is separated from the blood cells; used to boost blood volumes, prevent shock, help with clotting, or treat autoimmune and bleeding disorders.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

An autoimmune disorder resulting in reduced blood platelet levels.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)

An autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system that can lead to weakening of the arms and legs and possibly paralysis.

Hemophilia A

A genetic bleeding disorder caused by insufficient levels of a protein called factor VIII.

Hemophilia B

A genetic bleeding disorder caused by insufficient levels of a protein called factor IX; a rarer condition than hemophilia A.

Von Willebrand disease

A bleeding disorder in which blood does not clot properly, affecting approximately 1% of the population.

Hematopoiesis

The process in the bone marrow that produces the different types of blood cells (hem = blood; poiesis = formation, production).

Bone marrow biopsy

A procedure performed either by needle aspiration or a special hollow needle to take a solid piece of bone marrow (core biopsy) to diagnose or monitor blood-related diseases.

Bone marrow transplant (BMT)

A procedure used to treat diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, and immune deficiency disorders; can be autologous (self) or allogenic (other/different).

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells whose primary function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all body cells and carry carbon dioxide back to be exhaled.

Hemoglobin

A protein complex in red blood cells made up of heme (which binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide) and globin.

RBC Lifespan

Red blood cells wear out after a period of around 120 days and must be constantly replaced.

Anemia

A condition where the body lacks enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues, causing fatigue and weakness.

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic condition that affects the normal disk shape of red blood cells, causing them to break down earlier than normal.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

The smallest blood cells (fragments of large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes) that form blood clots during coagulation and stop bleeding.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding to maintain equilibrium (stasis = equilibrium).

Fibrin

A thread-like structure that forms an external clot or scab when a blood vessel is injured.

Healthy platelet count

A normal range between 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood, measured with a complete blood count (CBC).

Thrombocytosis

A condition in which the bone marrow produces an excessive number of platelets.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition where there is a deficiency or decrease in the number of platelets (-penia = decrease in, deficiency in).

Leukocytes

White blood cells or immune cells essential for a healthy immune system to prevent and fight infection.

Granulocytes

A collective name for three types of white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) named for the visible granules in their cytoplasm when stained.

Neutrophils

The most common granulocytes and first line of defense against microorganisms; they destroy pathogens by ingesting them and releasing killing enzymes.

Eosinophils

White blood cells used to combat parasitic infections and involved in some allergic reactions and cancers.

Basophils

The least common granulocytes; they release histamine and heparin to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow when an allergen is identified.

Histamine

An enzyme released by basophils responsible for allergic reaction symptoms ranging from a runny nose to anaphylactic shock.

Heparin

An enzyme released by basophils that acts as an anticoagulant to prevent blood from clotting too quickly.

Monocytes

Cells stored in bone marrow with a short lifespan of 24 hours in blood; they move into body tissues and mature into larger cells called macrophages.

Macrophages

Matured monocytes that live longer in tissues to eliminate infected or dead cells by engulfing and ingesting them.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells found in blood and lymph tissues that form part of the body's adaptive immune system.

B-cell lymphocytes

Lymphocytes that multiply into plasma cells to create antibodies (immunoglobulins) that neutralize threats and prevent cell infection.

T-cell lymphocytes

Lymphocytes that originate in bone marrow but mature and multiply in the thymus gland to determine the immune response to an antigen.

Helper T-cells

T-cells that secrete a chemical called cytokine to stimulate the formation of plasma cells to create antibodies.

Regulatory T-cells

T-cells that help control immune reactions to prevent the immune system from becoming overactive.

Cytotoxic T-cells

T-cells activated by cytokine that directly kill foreign cells, infected cells, and cancer cells.

Specific Immunity

The acquired immune system developed over a lifetime via maternal transfer, environmental exposure, or vaccination.

Nonspecific Immunity

The innate immune system with which we are born, comprised mainly of physical barriers (skin, cilia) or chemical defenses (mucus).

Phagocytes

Cells responsible for engulfing and removing microbes, consisting mainly of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nose (rhin = nose, -itis = inflamed) often associated with allergic reactions.

Urticaria

The medical term for hives, a common symptom of an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis

A life-threatening allergic emergency treated with epinephrine to decrease airway edema, hypotension, and shock.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D)

An organ-specific autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A multisystem autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Immunodeficiency

A decrease in the body's ability to fight infection and other diseases, which can be congenital or acquired.

Primary immunodeficiency categories

Inherited disorders broadly classified into six categories: B cell, T cell, combination B and T cell, defective phagocytes, complement deficiencies, and idiopathic.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; caused by HIV attacking and killing T-cells, leaving the body highly susceptible to opportunistic infections.

Nucleic acid test (NAT)

A laboratory test used to detect the presence of HIV in a blood sample.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

A medical treatment that can delay or prevent the progression from HIV infection into AIDS.

Kaposi sarcoma

A rare form of cancer commonly affecting immunodeficient individuals, characterized by colored lesions appearing on the skin.

Thrush

A fungal infection of the Candida fungus in the mouth, identifying as white raised lesions that are painful or irritating.

AIDS Pneumonia

An infection commonly seen in HIV patients caused by opportunistic microbes including the airborne fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii or cytomegalovirus.