chapter 11 vocab Flashcards
pyrexia
fever; increase in body temperature, stimulates white blood cells to kill pathogens, inhibits the growth of many pathogens
thymocyte
immature T cell
afferent
moving into glands or tissues
efferent
moving out of glands/tissues
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
A disease caused by HIV leading to a significant weakening of the immune system
adaptive immune response
It is activated when the innate immune response is insufficient to control an infection. It requires exposure to a pathogen to recognize it as a threat, leading to the development of memory cells for future defense
adenoidectomy
The surgical removal of the adenoid, which is located behind the nasal cavity, often performed along with a tonsillectomy
allergens
Substances that are usually harmless but can cause allergic responses in some people. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, and insect venom
allergist
A physician specializing in the study and treatment of allergies
allergy
An inflammatory response due to hypersensitivity to a substance that most people’s bodies perceive as harmless, such as pollen or certain foods. Histamine release during the immune response is a primary cause of allergy symptoms
anaphylaxis
A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Treatment often involves epinephrine administration
antibodies
Proteins that are very specific to the antigens they recognize and destroy, fitting onto the antigen like a key to a lock
antigens
Markers that tell the immune system whether something in the body is harmful or not, found on viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and even normal cells of the body
apoptosis
Programmed cell death that is disrupted in some cancers, allowing malignant cells to avoid natural cell death and continue uncontrolled growth
autoimmune disease
The inability of the body to distinguish its own cells from foreign invaders, resulting in the production of antibodies that attack its own tissues
autoimmune reactions
Responses within the body where the immune system mistakenly initiates a response against the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, or organs, failing to distinguish them from harmful invaders
B cells
A type of lymphocyte that plays a significant role in the humoral immune response
benign
Cells that overgrow and divide in a controlled manner, remaining localized to a certain area. They are less dangerous compared to malignant cells because they do not metastasize
bone marrow
The primary lymphoid organ where B cells and T cells mature and are selected to attack pathogens. All blood cells, including lymphocytes, are formed in the red bone marrow
cancer
Abnormal cells that overgrow and have the ability to invade and harm tissues. Malignant cells differ from benign cells in that they exhibit uncontrolled growth and have the potential to metastasize
CD4 T cells
Helper T cells whose levels decline steadily in HIV-positive individuals, leading to weakened immune response
cell-mediated response
An immune response that involves T cells destroying abnormal cells when nonspecific innate immunity and humoral
immunity are not effective
chyle
A milky bodily fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats, absorbed from the intestines during digestion
cytokines
Proteins secreted by cells that act as chemical messengers in immune responses, directing immune cells to respond to and initiate inflammation
equilibrium
In a medical context, it often refers to a state of balance or festability, particularly in physiological or biochemical processes
fever
A part of the inflammatory response that results in an overall increase in body temperature, enhancing the innate immune response by stimulating white blood cells to kill pathogens
graft
transplanted tissue or organ
graft rejection
A complication after graft surgery caused by the recipient’s immune response to antigens on the donated graft
histamine
A chemical released during the inflammatory response, causing increased permeability of blood vessels, redness, heat, and swelling
hodgkin lymphoma
Cancer originating from the lymphatic system, characterized by out-of-control growth of lymphocytes, causing swollen lymph nodes and growths throughout the body
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
A virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and severely impair the immune system
human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)
Proteins that are part of the immune system’s response to foreign substances and help distinguish “self” from “non-self.”
human papilloma virus (HPV)
A virus that can cause cervical cancer, with vaccines available for prevention
humoral immunity
Part of the immune response that refers to the function of B cells and their production of antibodies that target antigens
hypersensitivity
An exaggerated immune response triggered by exposure to a specific antigen, which can damage normal tissues and cause a range of health issues
immune system
A complex collection of cells and organs that destroys or neutralizes pathogens, preventing infection, disease, or death
immunization
A method to trigger an individual’s acquired immune response and prevent future disease, often through the administration of a vaccine
immunocompromised
Someone with an impaired or weakened immune system
immunodeficiency
Inadequate immune response due to immune system dysfunction
immunological memory
The adaptive immune response’s ability to mount a stronger and faster response upon reexposure to a pathogen, with memory B and T cells providing long-term protection
immunologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of immune system disorders
immunology
The study of disorders of the immune system
inflammation
A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection
inflammatory response
A biological response to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens or damaged cells, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain
innate immune response
A nonspecific defense mechanism that begins immediately or within hours of an antigen’s appearance in the body
interstitial space
The space between individual cells in the tissues
Kaposi’s sarcoma
A cancer caused by the herpes virus, typically observed in individuals with weakened immune systems
laparoscopic lymph node biopsy
A minimally invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia, where a small tube with a light and camera is used to remove lymph node tissue
lymph
A clear-to-white fluid that transports immune system cells, dietary lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins absorbed in the small intestine
lymphatic system
A network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph from tissue spaces to the bloodstream and is a major part of the body’s immune system
lymphedema
Inappropriate accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces, often caused by damage to the lymphatic system
lymph nodes
Small bean-shaped organs located throughout the lymphatic system that store immune system cells and filter lymph fluid to remove foreign material
lymphocyte
A type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system
lymphoma
Cancer that originates from the lymphatic system
malignant
Malignant cells exhibit uncontrolled growth and rapidly divide, subsequently invading and causing damage to normal functioning cells
metastasize
The spread of malignant cells through the blood or lymphatic system and invasion in other areas of the body
needle biopsy
A procedure where a needle is inserted into a lymph node, typically under local anesthesia and guided by ultrasound or CT scan, for tissue examination
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
A diverse group of blood cancers that includes all types of lymphoma except Hodgkin’s lymphomas, less predictable than Hodgkin lymphoma, and more likely to metastasize
open lymph node biopsy
A surgical procedure to remove all or part of a lymph node, usually performed if the lymph node is large enough to be felt on physical exam
opportunistic infection
Infections that occur more often or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems
passive immunity
A type of immunity obtained by receiving antibodies produced by someone else, such as through the placenta from the mother to the infant or via injection of antibodies
pathogens
Bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause infection and disease
phagocytosis
The process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle, forming an internal compartment known as a phagosome
sentinel lymph node biopsy
A procedure used to find the best lymph nodes to biopsy, involving the injection of a radioactive tracer or dye near the tumor
seroconversion
The presence of detectable anti-HIV antibodies in a person’s blood, indicating a positive HIV test
severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID)
A serious disease caused by genetic defects leading to impaired B cell and T cell functioning
spleen
An organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach, which filters blood and is involved in immune response
splenectomy
The surgical removal of a diseased or damaged spleen. Individuals who have had a splenectomy are at increased risk of infection for the remainder of their lives due to the spleen’s role in the immune system
T cells
A type of lymphocyte involved in cell-mediated immunity
thymus gland
A specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system where T cells mature
tissue typing
A process to ensure organ compatibility between a donor and recipient, involving the identification of unique human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)
tonsillectomy
The surgical removal of the tonsils, often performed to address recurrent cases of tonsillitis or breathing issues
tonsillitis
Inflammation of the tonsils, often due to infection
tonsils
A pair of soft tissue masses located at the rear of the throat, part of the immune system
