chapter 6 the lymphatic and immune system Flashcards
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
commonly known as AIDS, the most advanced and fatal stage of
an HIV infection
allergen
a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual.
anaphylaxis
a severe, systemic response to an allergen.
antibiotics
medications capable of inhibiting
growth or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms
antibody
is a 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
any substance that the body regards as being foreign.
antigen-antibody reaction
also known as the immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies. This reaction labels a potentially dangerous antigen so it can be recognized and destroyed by other cells of the immune system. The immune system immediately responds to the presence of any antigen.
autoimmune disorder
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
a pathogenic rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria
bacteria
one-celled microscopic organisms
benign
not life threatening
candidiasis
yeast infection
carcinoma
a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
carcinoma in situ
a malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded the surrounding tissues
complement system
is a 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
a highly contagious viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This coronavirus, discovered in 2019, became a global pandemic starting in 2020 COVID-19 spreads via droplet, airborne, and contact transmission, with an incubation period up to 14 days. Symptoms are wide-ranging and can include fever, body aches, pneumonia, hypoxia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and loss of taste and smell.
cytokines
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
is found in most body fluids. It is 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. This transmission can cause serious congenital disabilities to the child.
cytotoxic drug
a medication that kills or damages cells. These drugs are used as immunosuppressants or as antineoplastics.
ductal carcinoma in situ
breast cancer at its earliest stage before the abnormal cells have broken through the wall of the milk ducts. These cells may or may not become cancerous and spread. At this stage, the cure rate is nearly 100%.
hemolytic
The spleen has the hemolytic function of destroying worn-out erythrocytes and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse
herpes zoster
commonly known as shingles, is an acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of an inflamed nerve. This inflammation occurs when the dormant varicella (chickenpox) virus is reactivated later in life.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
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
commonly known as HIV, a 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. The five primary types of immunoglobulins, which are secreted by plasma cells, are also known as antibodies
immunosuppressant
is a substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal
immune response. This medication is administered
to prevent the rejection of donor tissue and to depress autoimmune disorders.
immunotherapy
also called 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. This is the most common form of breast cancer.
interferons
produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells. Interferons activate the immune system,
fight viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication, and signal other cells to increase their defenses.
lymphadenopathy
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
swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues
lymphocytes
also known as lymphoid
cells, are leukocytes that are formed in bone marrow as
stem cells. Lymphocytes work together with the body’s organs
to defend the body against antigens.
lymphoma
a general term applied to malignancies affecting lymphoid tissues
lymphoscintigraphy
a 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. Macrophages also remove dead cells and stimulate the action of other immune cells.
malignant
becoming progressively worse and life-threatening
mammography
an 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
to spread from one place to another. Cancer sometimes moves from its primary site and metastasizes to a secondary site
malaria
caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes and is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms develop from 1 to 4 weeks after being infected and include fever, shaking, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
myoma
an example of a benign tumor made up of muscle tissue
myosarcoma
an example of a malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
refers to all lymphomas other than Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, all of which originate in the lymphocytes.
opportunistic infection
caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans. However, when the host is debilitated, these pathogens are able to cause an infection.
osteosarcoma
a 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.
rickettsia
a small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites
rubella
also known as German measles, a viral infection characterized by a low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes, and a fine, pink rash. Although not usually severe or long-lasting, rubella is serious in a woman during early pregnancy because it can cause defects in a developing fetus.
sarcoma
a malignant tumor that arises from connective tissues, including hard and, more commonly, soft tissues
spirochetes
long, slender, spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement.
splenomegaly
an abnormal enlargement of the spleen
staphylococci
a group of about 30 species of bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters resembling grapes. Most staphylococci are harmless and reside normally
on the skin and mucous membranes of humans and
other organisms; however, others are capable of
producing very serious infections.
streptococci
bacteria that form a chain. Many streptococcal species are harmless; however, other members of this group are responsible for serious illnesses such as strep throat, meningitis
systemic reaction
anaphylaxis
teletherapy
radiation therapy administered at a distance from the body
toxoplasmosis
a disease caused by a parasite that is most commonly transmitted from pets to humans by contact with contaminated animal feces.
varicella
also known as chickenpox, is caused by the herpes virus Varicella zoster and is highly contagious. The condition is characterized by a fever and a rash consisting of hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts
