Notes on Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Systems Terminology

Hematopoietic System

  • Definition: The hematopoietic system is responsible for the formation of blood cells.
  • Process: Hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation.
  • Cellular Development:
    • Starts with a multipotential hematopoietic stem cell (Hemocytoblast).
    • Differentiates into:
      • Common myeloid progenitor
      • Common lymphoid progenitor
    • Common Myeloid Progenitor gives rise to:
      • Erythrocyte (Red Blood Cell)
      • Mast cell
      • Myeloblast, which further differentiates into:
        • Basophil
        • Neutrophil
        • Eosinophil
        • Monocyte, which matures into a Macrophage
      • Megakaryocyte, which produces Thrombocytes (Platelets)
    • Common Lymphoid Progenitor gives rise to:
      • Small lymphocyte, which differentiates into T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte, which becomes a Plasma cell
      • Natural killer cell (Large granular lymphocyte)

Lymphatic System

  • Definition: The lymphatic system comprises tissues and organs that produce, store, and transport white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections and other diseases.
  • Components:
    • Bone marrow
    • Spleen
    • Thymus
    • Lymph nodes
    • Lymphatic vessels: A network of thin tubes carrying lymph and white blood cells throughout the body's tissues, similar to blood vessels.

Stems Related to Cells and Blood

  • Cyto:

    • Meaning: Cell
    • Example: Erythrocyte (Red blood cell) - e-rith'ro-site

  • Hema/Hemato:

    • Meaning: Blood
    • Example: Hematoma (Tumor filled with blood) - hem"ah-to'mah

  • Lympho:

    • Meaning: Lymph
    • Example: Lymphocyte (Lymph cell) - lim'fo-site

  • Spleno:

    • Meaning: Spleen
    • Example: Splenectomy (Excision of the spleen) - sple-nek'to-me

  • Phago:

    • Meaning: To eat
    • Example: Phagocyte (Cell that eats microorganisms) - fag'o-site

  • Kary:

    • Meaning: Nucleus
    • Akaryocyte: A cell without a nucleus.
    • Karyocyte: A cell with a nucleus.

Prokaryotic Cells

  • Characteristics:
    • No membrane-bound nucleus
    • Nucleoid: Region of DNA concentration
    • Organelles not bound by membranes
    • Structures: Flagellum, Basal body, Capsule, Cell wall, DNA, Ribosomes, Plasma membrane

Red Blood Cells

  • Description: Biconcave discs without a nucleus.
  • Function: Carry oxygen; cytoplasm contains hemoglobin.

Review of Terms

  • Cyto: Cell
  • Hema/hemato: Blood
  • Spleno: Spleen
  • Lympho: Lymph
  • Phago: To eat
  • Kary: Nucleus

Review Questions

  • Cytology is the study of cells.
  • Hematology is the study of blood.
  • A lymphocyte is a lymph cell.
  • Splenectomy means excising of the spleen.
  • Phagocytosis means to eat, engulf, or ingest other particles or cells.