Chapter 6 medical terms Flashcards
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AKA AIDs, is the most advanced and fatal stage of HIV infection
Allergen
is a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual
Anaphylaxis
(anaphylactic shock) is a severe response to an allergen
Antibiotics
medications capable of inhibiting growth or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms
Antibody
disease-fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen
Antifungal
An agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi
Antigen - antibody reaction
AKA immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies. This labels a potentially dangerous antigen so it can be recognized and destroyed by other cells of the immune system
Antigen
Any substance that the body regards as being foreign (viruses, bacteria, toxins transplanted tissues)
Autoimmune disorder
AKA autoimmune disease, any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues, mistaking healthy cells, tissues, or organs for antigens
Bacilli
rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria
Bacteria
one-celled microscopic organisms. Most bacteria are not harmful to humans
Benign
NOT life-threatening, although this type of tumor can cause damage as it grows and places pressure on adjacent structures
Candidiasis
Yeast infection
Carcinoma
Malignant tumor that occurs in the epithelial tissue
Carcinoma in situ
Malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded the surrounding tissues
Complement system
group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form. When needed, these cells complement the ability of antibodies to ward off pathogens by combining with them to dissolve and remove pathogenic bacteria and other foreign cells
Covid-19
highly contagious viral infection caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This coronavirus, discovered in 2019, became a global pandemic starting in 2020
Cytokines
Are a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells. These cells act as intracellular signals to begin the immune response
Cytomegalovirus
(CMV) is found in most body fluids. Most often present as a silent infection in which the individual has no signs or symptoms of the infection, although it can potentially cause a serious illness when the individual has a weakened immune system, or when it is transmitted from the mother to her unborn child
Cytotoxic Drug
Medication that kills or damages cells
Ductal Carinoma in situ
(DCIS) breast cancer at its earliest stage before the abnormal cells have broken through the milk ducts
Hemolytic
function of destroying worn-out erythrocytes and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse
Herpes zoster
(shingles) an acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of an inflamed nerve
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
(HL) AKA Hodgkin’s disease, is a cancer of the immune system distinguished by the presence of large, cancerous lymphocytes known as Reed-Sternberg cells. The spread of these cells compromises the body’s ability to fight infection
Human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) blood-borne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail, thus leaving the body at risk of developing many life-threatening opportunistic infections
Immunoglobulins
bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response
Immunosuppressant
substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune response. This medication is administered to prevent the rejection of donor tissue and to autoimmune disorders
Immunotherapy
(Biological therapy) is a disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
(IDC) starts in the milk duct and invades the fatty breast tissue outside the duct. Most common form of breast cancer
Interferons
(INFs) are produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells
Lymphadenopathy
is any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes
Lymphangioma
a benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system
Lymphedema
(LE) swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues
Lymphocytes
(lymphoid cells), are leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells. They work together with the body’s organs to defend the body against antigens
Lymphoma
general term applied to malignancies affecting lymphoid tissues
Lymphoscintigraphy
diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels. A radioactive substance is injected into lymph ducts, and a scanner or probe is used to follow the movement of the substance on a computer screen
Macrophage
a type of leukocyte that surrounds and kills invading cells. They also remove dead cells and stimulate the action of other immune cells
Malaria
caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes and is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito
Malignant
means becoming progressively worse and life-threatening
Mammorgraphy
x-ray examination of the breasts to detect the presence of tumors or precancerous cells
Metastasis
describes the process by which cancer is spread to a new site, and the term is also used to describe the tumor itself
Metastasize
means to spread from one place to another. The most common sites of metastatic tumors are; bones, liver, lungs
Myoma
an example of a benign tumor made up of muscle tissue
Myosarcoma
is an example of a malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
(NHL) which is the more common type, refers to all lymphomas other than Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Opportunistic infection
is caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans. However, when host is debilitated, those pathogens are able to cause an infection
Osteosarcoma
Hard-tissue sarcoma that usually involves the upper shaft of the long bones, pelvis, or knee
Parasite
a plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism at the expense of that organism
Rabies
An acute viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite or saliva of an infected animal. If suspected, necessary to undergo testing immediately so post-exposure treatment can be started as quickly as possible. Once symptoms have developed, rabies is almost fatal
Rickettsia
small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites
Rubella
(German measles) is a viral infection characterized by a low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes and a fine, pink rash. More serious in pregnant women.
Sarcoma
malignant tumor that arises from connective tissues, including hard and more commonly soft tissues
