Medical Language - Chapter 7: Hematology and Immunology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical, physiological, pathological, diagnostic, and procedural terminology for Chapter 7: Hematology and Immunology.

Hematology

The medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the blood.

Immunology

The medical specialty of the lymphatic system and the immune response.

Hematopoiesis

The process of formation of formed elements of blood in the red marrow of long bones and flat bones (hemat/o- = blood, -poiesis = process of formation).

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs); flat, red, mature biconcave disks without a nucleus that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide using hemoglobin and live for approximately 120 days.

Leukocytes

White blood cells (WBCs); cells categorized as granulocytes or agranulocytes that participate in protecting the body.

Neutrophil

The most common leukocyte (54-62%), classified as a granulocyte with pale granules that stain neutrally and a multi-lobed nucleus.

Eosinophil

A granulocyte making up 1-3% of leukocytes, containing large granules that stain pink-red with acidic eosin dye and a two-lobed nucleus.

Basophil

The least common leukocyte (0.5-1%), classified as a granulocyte with dark blue-purple granules when exposed to alkaline hematoxylin dye.

Lymphocyte

An agranulocyte making up 25-33% of leukocytes, featuring a round nucleus filling most of the cell; includes B cells, T cells, and NK cells.

Monocyte

The largest type of leukocyte (3-7%), classified as an agranulocyte with a kidney bean-shaped nucleus, functioning as a phagocyte.

Thrombocytes

Cell fragments (platelets) created from fragmented megakaryocyte cytoplasm in red marrow, crucial for blood clotting.

Plasma

Clear, straw-colored liquid component constituting 55% of blood, in which formed elements, nutrients, and metabolic wastes are suspended.

Lymph

Fluid formed when tissue fluid enters tiny lymphatic capillaries, transported by vessels through lymph nodes back to neck veins.

Lymph Nodes

Encapsulated pieces of lymphoid tissue positioned to filter lymph fluid and destroy trapped microorganisms or cancer cells.

Hemostasis

The cessation of bleeding achieved via blood vessel constriction, platelet aggregation, clotting factor release, and fibrin clot formation.

Serum

Plasma fluid from which clotting factors have been removed.

Heparin

An anticoagulant substance produced in the body that limits blood clot size.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease.

Phagocytosis

The process by which specialized cells like neutrophils and monocytes engulf and destroy foreign bacteria or cellular debris.

NK Cells

Natural killer lymphocytes that recognize and destroy cancer cells or viral-infected cells.

B Cells

Lymphocytes maturing in red bone marrow that transform into plasma cells to produce antibodies upon pathogen exposure.

Cytotoxic T Cells

T lymphocytes that directly target and kill viral-infected cells.

Helper T Cells

T lymphocytes that stimulate the production of cytotoxic T cells and coordinate immune defense.

Memory T Cells

T lymphocytes that retain memory of a specific virus for rapid defense upon subsequent exposure.

Suppressor T Cells

T lymphocytes that limit and regulate the intensity of the immune response.

Interferon

Substance released during immune response that prompts body cells to synthesize antiviral substances and stimulates NK cells.

Interleukin

Immune chemical that stimulates B, T, and NK lymphocytes, and induces fever.

Tumor Necrosis Factor

Immune substance that destroys bacterial endotoxins and kills cancer cells.

Complements

Plasma proteins that enhance antibody effectiveness by drilling holes into pathogen cell walls.

Hemorrhage

Excessive loss or discharge of a large volume of blood internally or externally (hem/o- = blood, -rrhage = excessive flow).

Pancytopenia

Decreased counts across all types of blood cells caused by red bone marrow failure (pan- = all, cyt/o- = cell, -penia = deficiency).

Septicemia

Bacterial infection originated in tissue or organs that spreads into blood, potentially producing severe systemic inflammation and sepsis.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a decrease in the overall number of circulating erythrocytes.

Aplastic Anemia

Anemia stemming from bone marrow failure due to disease or chemotherapy, resulting in normocytic, normochromic RBCs in abnormally low numbers.

Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia

Anemia resulting from inadequate folic acid in the diet, producing abnormally large macrocytic erythrocytes.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Anemia caused by lack of iron, producing microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) erythrocytes.

Pernicious Anemia

Anemia caused by lack of intrinsic factor or vitamin B12, characterized by immature macrocytic erythrocytes and potential permanent nerve damage.

Sickle Cell Anemia

Inherited genetic disease of hemoglobin where erythrocytes warp into a crescent or sickle shape under low oxygen, blocking capillaries and causing pain.

Transfusion Reaction

Severe adverse reaction occurring when incompatible blood is transfused, leading to donor RBC hemolysis, fever, hypotension, and flank pain.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Severe infection caused by HIV targeting helper T cells; diagnosed when CD4 count falls below 200 along with opportunistic infection.

Leukemia

Cancer of bone marrow cells resulting in excessive immature myeloid stem cells or lymphoblasts that crowd out normal blood cells.

Mononucleosis

Infectious illness caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), transmitted via saliva, presenting with lymphadenopathy, fever, and fatigue.

Multiple Myeloma

Cancer of B cell lymphocytes (plasma cells) that destroys bone marrow, causes bone pain, and produces Bence Jones protein in urine.

Coagulopathy

Any disease condition that impairs normal blood coagulation mechanisms.

Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)

Formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in deep leg veins due to venous stasis, presenting with erythema, warmth, and swelling.

Embolus

A blood clot or foreign object that detaches from its site of origin and travels through blood vessels until becoming lodged.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Severe disorder causing widespread micro-thrombi that deplete platelets and fibrinogen, resulting in spontaneous body-wide bleeding.

Hemophilia

Inherited deficiency of a specific clotting factor leading to prolonged bleeding, large subcutaneous hematomas, and internal bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia

Abnormally low thrombocyte count caused by marrow damage or leukemia, causing skin petechiae, ecchymoses, and bruising.

Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)

Immune attack where transplanted donor tissue (graft) reacts against recipient tissues (host).

Lymphadenopathy

Enlargement of lymph nodes in response to local infection, inflammation, or malignant metastasis.

Lymphedema

Swelling in an arm or leg caused by obstructed lymph flow following surgical excision of lymph node chains.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Most common lymphoma type, presenting as painless enlarged neck lymph nodes, splenomegaly, and pathognomonic Reed-Sternberg cells on biopsy.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

A category of lymphomas seen in older adults that lack Reed-Sternberg cells.

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen identifiable via abdominal palpation.

Thymoma

Usually benign tumor of the thymus gland, frequently associated with underlying autoimmune disorders.

Blood Smear

Laboratory technique where blood is spread thinly on a slide, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and inspected under a microscope.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Automated panel of tests measuring hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBCs, WBCs, and platelet counts.

Type and Crossmatch

Laboratory testing determining blood group (A, B, AB, O) and Rh factor, followed by mixing donor RBCs with recipient plasma to verify compatibility.

Coagulation Time Tests

Assays measuring clot formation duration (ACT, PTT, PT), with results standardized as International Normalized Ratio (INR).

Ferritin Test

Blood test measuring circulating ferritin levels to indirectly evaluate body iron stores.

CD4 Count

Test quantifying helper T lymphocytes used to monitor AIDS disease progression and antiretroviral drug response.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Initial two-antibody screening assay for detecting HIV antibodies.

Western Blot

Confirmatory diagnostic test used following a positive ELISA to establish an HIV diagnosis.

MonoSpot

Rapid serum test for mononucleosis utilizing horse erythrocytes to detect heterophil antibodies.

Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST)

Blood test quantifying IgE levels produced when patient serum contacts specific environmental allergens.

Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP)

Technique separating serum immunoglobulins via electrical charge in gel to generate quantitative graphic peaks.

Schilling Test

Diagnostic urine test measuring excretion of radioactive vitamin B12 administered with and without intrinsic factor to diagnose pernicious anemia.

Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP)

Urine assay designed to detect and measure abnormal Bence Jones proteins in multiple myeloma.

Lymphangiography

Radiologic examination tracking injected radiopaque dye through lymphatic vessels and nodes to generate a lymphangiogram.

Phlebotomy

Procedure using a tourniquet and vacuum tube system to draw venous blood; also termed venipuncture.

Plasmapheresis

Procedure where collected blood is centrifuged to separate and collect plasma while returning blood cells to the donor.

Bone Marrow Aspiration

Needle aspiration technique retrieving liquid bone marrow from the posterior iliac crest for evaluation.

Splenectomy

Surgical removal of the spleen, typically indicated after traumatic organ rupture.

Thymectomy

Surgical excision of the thymus gland, commonly performed to remove a thymoma.