15 - The Lymphatic and Immune System Flashcards
A substance that can cause a specific immune response and then reacts with the products of the response.
Antigen
A protein molecule produced by B cells.
Antibody
Nodes around the axilary (armpit) area that receive lymph drainage from the upper arm and the scapular and pectoral regions; they drain into the subclavian trunk.
Axilary lymph nodes
A type of lymphocyte that specializes in producing antibodies.
B cell
A sac on the inferior portion of the thoracic duct that holds chyle, a milky yellow fluid that drains from the intestines.
Cisterns chyli
An immune defense system of plasma proteins that destroy microbes.
Complement system
A protein released by cells that affects cell-to-cell communication and interactions.
Cytokines
One of several types of antibodies; a protein derived from blood that has been infected with a pathogen; antibodies are created, isolated, and injected into the human body to cause short-term immunity.
Gamma globulin
One of several small nodes deep to the tensor fascia lata that receive lymph drainage from the deep structures of the lower limbs.
Inguinal lymph node
A natural cytokine secreted by the body to keep viruses from infecting cells and replicating.
Interferon
One of the lymphatic vessels that transports a milky fluid (chyle) through the small intestine and the mesenteric glands to the thoracic ducts.
Lacteal
One of a chain of lymph nodes located around the inferior vena cava.
Lumbar lymph node
The beginning of a lymphatic vessel.
Lymph capillary
A tube that allows the passage of lymph from one place to another.
Lymph duct
A bean-sized organ located throughout the body.
Lymph node
A facial lymph node that is located at the point where the facial artery crosses the mandible.
Mandibular lymph node
A cell that that remains after the body mounts an immune response to an antigen and is capable of an immediate response to the reappearance of the same antigens.
Memory cells
A node located in and around the abdominal membranes.
Mesenteric lymph nodes
A large, oval-shaped mass of lymphatic tissue located in the wall of the pharynx at the back of the throat; the structure commonly referred to as the tonsils.
Palatine tonsils
Cell capable of “swallowing up” other cells (harmful ones) and even digesting them.
Phagocyte
A group of small lymphatic nodules located on the back and roof of the nasopharynx.
Pharyngeal tonsils
Two groups of nodes located around the back of the knee that drain the skin of the posterior leg; deep structures of the leg, and side of the foot.
Popliteal lymph nodes
A type of cell derived from the thymus that helps coordinate immune system functions through the secretion of hormones.
T cell
Specialized T cells that destroy infected or other diseased cells, including cancer cells; the most significant component of the cellular immune response.
T-cytotoxic cells
A type of T cell that regulates the immune response.
T-helper cell
The major efferent lymph duct into which most lymph nodes drain.
Thoracic duct
Lymphatic tissues covered by a membrane and located on either side of the throat.
Tonsils
A localized collection of pus caused by an infection
Abscess
The most common type of childhood leukemia; a rapid growing cancer of the blood causing an abnormal increase in white blood cells.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
A type of cancer in the blood that usually affects adults; it affects the immature blood cells in the bone marrow.
Acute myeloblastic leukemia
A disease caused by infection from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system and causes it to eventually fail.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
A hypersensitivity to a particular allergen, resulting in harmful reactions on subsequent exposures.
Allergy
A type of non-Hogkin lymphoma that causes a fast-growing tumor in the abdomen of children; thought to be associated with Epstein-Barr virus.
Burkitt lymphoma
An illness of unknown origin, characterized by extreme fatigue, swelling of the lymph nodes, muscle aches, and general weakness; also thought to associated with Epstein-Barr.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Swelling caused by abnormal amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body.
Edema
A rare disorder of the lymphatic system caused by parasitic worms that are transmitted by mosquitos, in which inflammation and blockage of the lymphatic vessels causes extreme edema formation and enlargement of the affected area, most commonly a limb or parts of the head and torso.
Elephantiasis
A herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis; also thought to be associated with Burkitt lymphoma and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Epstein-Barr virus
A physiological response to infection and/or inflammation, wherein the body’s temperature rises above normal.
Fever
A malignant illness that begins with infection in one lymph node and progressively spreads throughout the lymphatic system, into the spleen, liver, and eventually the bone marrow.
Hodgkin disease
An acute or chronic cancerous disease characterized by a seriously abnormal increase of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the tissue; there may or may not be an increase in the number of leukocytes in the circulating blood.
Leukemia
Fluid accumulation under the skin caused by obstructed lymph, characterized by a swelling of the tissues, especially in the extremities.
Lymphedema
A malignant tumor occurring in the lymphatic system.
Lymphoma
An acute infection of the lymphatic tissue caused by the Epstein-Barr virus; characterized by fever and swollen lymph nodes and abnormal increase of mononuclear leukocytes or monocytes in the bloodstream.
Mononucleosis
Nonacceptance of transplanted or grafted tissue in the body.
Rejection
An enlargement of the spleen.
Splenomegaly
A chronic, inflammatory, immune complex disorder, resulting from an immune system malfunction that causes antibodies and antibody-antigen complexes to be produced to the victim’s own tissues; severe inflammations and organ damage often occur.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
