Chapter 14. Lymphatic and Immune Systems - Medical Terms Flashcards
acquired immunity
formation of antibodies and lymphocytes after exposure to an antigen
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
depression or suppression of the immune system after exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); marked by opportunistic infections, secondary neoplasms, and neurologic problems
adenoids
masses of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx
allergen
substance capable of causing a specific hypersensitivity in a body; an antigen
allergy
abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen (allergen)
anaphylaxis
exaggerated or unusual hypersensitivity to foreign protein or other substance
antibody
protein produced in the bloodstream by lymphocytes in response to a specific antigen, such as a bacterium or toxin; antibodies destroy or weaken antigens
antigen
substance (usually foreign) that stimulates the production of an antibody
asplenia
no spleen
atopy
intense allergic reaction (such as asthma) influenced by hereditary tendency or predisposition
autoimmune disease
chronic disabling disease caused by the abnormal production of antibodies to normal body tissues; multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus are examples
axillary nodes
lymph nodes under the arm
B cell
a lymphocyte that originates in bone marrow and transforms into a plasma cell to secrete antibodies
CD4 cell
Helper T cell that carries the CD4 protein antigen on its surface
cervical nodes
lymph nodes in the neck
complement system
proteins in the blood that help antibodies and T cells kill their target
cytokines
proteins that aid cells to destroy antigens; examples are interleukins and interferons
cytotoxic T cell
T cell lymphocyte that directly kills foreign cells; T8 cell
dendritic cell
a type of macrophage that captures antigens and presents them to T cells for destruction
ELISA
test to detect anti-HIV antibodies in blood; this is a screening test for AIDS
helper T cell
lymphocyte that aids a B cell lymphocyte in recognizing antigens and stimulating antibody production
Hodgkin disease
malignant tumor of lymphatic tissue in the spleen and lymph nodes
human immunodeficiency virus
virus (retrovirus) that causes AIDS
hypersensitivity
abnormal condition characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to an antigen
hypersplenism
syndrome of spleen enlargement (splenomegaly) and destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis)
immunity
body’s ability to resist foreign organisms and toxins; this includes natural immunity and acquired immunity
immunoelectrophoresis
laboratory test that separates immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE, and IgA)
immunoglobulins
antibodies (proteins) secreted by B-cell lymphocytes (plasma cells)
immunosuppression
blocking or turning off the normal immune response
immunotherapy
use of immunologic techniques to treat disease