Medical Terminology – 6 (Lymphatic/Immune System) – Flashcards
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allergist
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specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity such as allergic reactions
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hematologist
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specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the blood and blood-forming tissues
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immunologist
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is a specialist in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the immune system
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oncologist
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specialist in diagnosing and treating malignant disorders such as tumors and cancer
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lymph fluid
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returns intercellular fluid containing waste products from the cells to the venous circulatory system. always flows toward the thoracic cavity
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lymph vessels
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lymph nodes
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small bean-shaped structures located in lymph vessels that provide a site for lymphocyte production.
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tonsils
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masses of lymphatic tissue that form a protective ring around the nose and upper throat.
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spleen
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saclike mass of lymphatic tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. it filters microorganisms and other foreign material from the blood and forms lymphocytes and monocytes. stores extra red blood cells and maintains a balance between red blood cells and plasma in the circulation
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thymus
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located above the heart, plays important roles in the endocrine and immune systems
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lymphocytes
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white blood cells that specialize so they can attack specific microorganisms. B cells and T cells.
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intercellular fluid
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plasma that flows out of the capillaries of the circulatory system into the spaces between the cells. carries food, oxygen, and hormones to the cells.
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lymph capillaries
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thin-walled tubes that carry lymph fluid from the tissues to the larger lymphatic vessels.
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lacteals
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specialized lymph capillaries located in the villi of the small intestine. Here fats and fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed and carried into the blood stream.
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vermiform appendix
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lymphatic tissue that hangs from the lower portion of the cecum of the large intestine
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Peyer's patches
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small areas of lympatic tissue located on the walls of the large intestine.
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hemolytic
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removes and destroys red blood cells
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lymphadenitis
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an inflammation of the lymph nodes. also known as swollen glands.
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lymphadenopathy
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any disease process usually involving enlargement of the lymph nodes
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lymphangiogram
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a radiographic study of the lymphatic vessels and nodes with the use of a contrast medium to make these structures visible
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lymphangioma
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a benign abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels forming a mass.
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lymphedema
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an abnormal accumulation of fluid primarily in the legs and ankles that occurs when veins or lymph vessels do not drain properly.
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splenomegaly
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enlargement of the spleen
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splenorrhagia
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bleeding from the spleen
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antigen
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any substance that the body regards as foreign such as a virus, bacterium, or toxin. Ag
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antibody
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a disease-fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of that specific antigen. Ab
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B lymphocyte
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designed to make only one specific antibody against a specific antigen. most effective against viruses and bacteria that are circulation in the blood. when confronted with this antigen turn into plasma cells.
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plasma cells
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produce and secrete antibodies coded to match an antigen.
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complement
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complex series of proteins that circulate in normal serum and are activated on contact with an antigen and aid the antibodies by puncturing the cell membrane of the antigen.
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Immunoglobulin
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synonym for antibody.
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IgM
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found in circulating fluids it is the first immunoglobulin the body produces when challenged by an antigen
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IgG
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most common type of antibody found in the plasma and formed after a second exposure to an antigen
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IgE
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provides defenses against environmental antigens. sometimes causes acute allergic reactions such as hay fever.
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IgD
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found in small amounts in serum and is though to play a role in B-cell differentiation.
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T lymphocytes
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T cells. small circulating lymphocytes that have traveled to the thymus. they coordinate immune defenses and kill invading organisms on contact.
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interferon
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a family of proteins produced by t cells when invaded by a virus. Causes non infected cells to form an antiviral protein that slow or stops viral multiplication.
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Lymphokines
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produced by the T cells they direct the immune response by signaling between the cells of the immune system. Attract macrophages to the infected site and prepare them to attack.
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macrophage
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a type of phagocyte that protects the body by ingesting invading cells and by interacting with other cells of the immune system.
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phagocyte
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white blood cell with the ability to ingest and destroy substances
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immunity
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the state of being resistant or not susceptible to a specific disease.
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opportunistic infection
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a pathogen that normally does not cause disease but is able to cause illness in a weakened host whose resistance has been decreased by a different disorder.
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allergy
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an overreaction by the body to a particular antigen. also known as hypersensitivity.
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allergen
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an antigen that is capable of inducing an allergic response
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anaphylaxis
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systemic reaction. a severe response to a foreign substance such as a drug, food, insect venom, or chemical.
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scratch test
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a diagnostic test to identify commonly troublesome allergens such as tree pollen and ragweed. swelling and itching indicate an allergic reaction.
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autoimmune disorder
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a condition in which the immune system misreads normal antigens and creates antibodies and directs T cells against the body's own tissues.
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immunodeficiency disorder
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a condition that occurs when one or more parts of the immune system are deficient or missing
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Human immunodeficiency virus
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HIV. a blood borne pathogen that invades and then progressively impairs and kills cells of the immune system.
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acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
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AIDS. advanced stages of HIV infection.
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ELISA
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enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. a blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies. when this is positive go on to take Western blot test which does not give false positives.
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immunotherapy
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a treatment of disease either by enhancing or repressing the immune response
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synthetic immoglobulins
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immune serum. used as a post-exposure preventative measure against certain viruses including rabies and some types of hepatitis.
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synthetic interferon
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used in the treatment of hepatitis B and C and some cancers
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Monoclonal antibodies
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MAbs. antibodies produced in the laboratory
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immunosuppression
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treatment used to interfere with the ability of the immune system to respond to stimulation by antigens. drug = immunosuppressant
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corticosteroid drug
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hormone-like preparation used primarily as an anti-inflammatory and as an immunosuppressant
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cytotoxic drug
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kills or damages cells as an immunosuppressant and as an antineoplastic.
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antineoplastic
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blocks the growth of neoplasms and is used to treat cancer.
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pathogen
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microorganism that causes a disease
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bacteria
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a group of one-celled microscopic organisms.
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Bacilli
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rod-shaped spore-forming bacteria. cause tetanus and tuberculosis
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rickettsia
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small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites which transmit it into humans. i.e. Rocky mountain spotted fever is caused by a tick bite and this bacteria.
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spirochetes
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spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement. Causes lyme disease
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staphylococci
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bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters. causes endocarditis, pneumonia, and some skin infection
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streptococci
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bacteria that form a chain. causes strep throat or pharyngitis.
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fungus
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simple parasitic plant
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aspergillosis
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an infection caused by a fungus and may cause lesions on or in any organs
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moniliasis
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an infection of the skin or mucous membranes caused by pathogenic yeast. usually around the mouth or the vagina.
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parasite
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a plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism at the expense of that organism. i.e. malaria.
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viruses
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small infectious agents that live only by invading cells. within the cell they reproduce and then break the cell walls so the newly formed virus can spread to other cells.
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Chicken pox
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an acute highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever and pustules and caused by herpes virus. also known as varicella.
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cytomegalovirus
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an infection caused by a group of large herpes-type viruses with a wide variety of disease effects.
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herpes zoster
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an acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of the inflamed nerve. shingles.
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infectious mononucleosis
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caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and characterized by fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes.
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measles
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an acute, highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets. Characterized by Koplik's spots and the a spreading skin rash.
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koplik's spots
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small red sots with blue-white centers that appear on the lining of the mouth.
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mumps
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an acute viral disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands.
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rabies
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an acute viral infection that may be transmitted to humans by the blood, tissue, or saliva of an infected animal
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rubella
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a viral infection characterized by fever, and a diffuse, fine, red rash. also known as german measles.
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antibiotic
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a chemical substance that is capable of inhibiting growth or killing pathogenic microorganisms
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bactericide
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substance that causes the death of bacteria. i.e. penicillins and cephalosporins.
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bacteriostatic
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an agent that inhibits, slows, or retards the growth of bacteria. i.s. tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and erythromycin.
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antiviral drug
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used to treat viral infections or to provide temporary immunity. i.e. acyclovir.
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oncology
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the study of the prevention, causes and treatment of tumors and cancer
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tumor
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also known as neoplasm. a new and abnormal tissue formation and can be either benign or malignant.
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angiogenesis
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the way a tumor supports its growth by creating its own blood supply
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myoma
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a benign neoplasm made up of muscle tissue
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carcinoma in situ
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CIT. malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invade surrounding tissues.
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invasive malignancy
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tumor grows and spread into healthy adjacent tissue.
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metastasize
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verb that describes the process by which cancer spreads from one place to another
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metastasis
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the new cancer site that results from the spreading process.
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staging
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the process of classifying tumors with respect to how far the disease has progressed, the potential for its responding to therapy and the patient's prognosis.
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carcinoma
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a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
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adenocarcinoma
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any one of a large group of carcinomas derived from glandular tissue
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sarcoma
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a malignant tumor that arises from connective tissue. e.g. bladder, kidneys, liver, lungs, muscles, and spleen
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osteosarcoma
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a malignant tumor usually involving the uppershaft of long bones, the pelvis, or knee
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myosarcoma
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maliganat tumor derived from muscle tissue
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Kaposi's sarcoma
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an opportunistic infection frequently associated with HIV.
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lymphoma
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a general term applied to malignancies that develop in the lymphatic system. e.g. hodgkin's disease and non-hodgkin's lymphoma.
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Hodgkin's disease
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distinguished by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells which are large cancerous lymphocytes that are identified by microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen taken from an enlarge lymphnode
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non-Hodgkins lymphomas
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used to describe all other lymphomas other than Hodgkin's.
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blastoma
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a neoplasm composed of chiefly or entirely of immature undifferentiated cells.
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invasive ductal carcinoma
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IDC. accounts for the majority of breast cancer. starts in the milk ducts, breaks though the wall of that duct, and invades the fatty breast tissue.
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Ductal carcinoma in situ
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DCIS. breast cancer at its earliest stage before the cancer has broken through the wall of the duct.
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Invasive lobular carcinoma
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breast cancer that starts in the milk glads, invades the fatty tissue and goes to other parts of the body.
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biopsy
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the removal of tissue to confirm a diagnosis
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lumpectomy
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the surgical removal of only the cancerous tissue and a margin of normal tissue.
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modified radical mastectomy
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the surgical removal of the entire breast and lymph nodes under the arm
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chemotherapy
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the use of chemical agents and drugs in combinations selected to effectively destroy malignant cells and tissues.
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radiation therapy
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the treatment of cancers through the use of x-rays. the goal being to destroy the cancer while sparing healthy tissues.
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brachytherapy
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the use of radioactive materials in contact with or implanted in the tissues to be treated.
