Immunity and Immunologic Oral Lesions

Question 1

Acantholysis

Answer 1

Dissolution of the intercellular bridges of the prickle cell layer of the epithelium.

Question 2

Acquired immune response

Answer 2

An immune response to a foreign substance based on the specific memory of a past exposure to that same foreign substance.

Question 3

Active immunity

Answer 3

A type of immunity based on antibodies developed in response to an antigen, which includes both natural and acquired types.

Question 4

Adjuvants

Answer 4

The agents that can be added to a vaccine to modify the immune response.

Question 5

Allergen

Answer 5

An antigen that produces a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.

Question 6

Allergy

Answer 6

Hypersensitivity acquired through exposure to a particular allergen that elicits an exaggerated reaction on reexposure to the same allergen.

Question 7

Anaphylaxis

Answer 7

A severe immediate type of hypersensitivity in which an exaggerated immunologic reaction occurs on reexposure to a foreign protein or other substance after sensitization, resulting in not only hives, itching, and swelling, but also vascular collapse and shock, as well as death.

Question 8

Antibody

Answer 8

A protein molecule or immunoglobulin that is secreted by plasma cells and reacts with a specific antigen; includes five classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM.

Question 9

Antibody titer

Answer 9

The level of antibody in the blood that can be measured by a diagnostic laboratory test.

Question 10

Antigen

Answer 10

Any substances able to induce a specific immune response.

Question 11

Attenuated

Answer 11

The ability to reduce the virulence of a pathogenic microorganism but still keep it viable, as is done in the development of certain vaccines.

Question 12

Autoantibody

Answer 12

An antibody that reacts against a tissue constituent of one’s own body.

Question 13

Autoimmune disease

Answer 13

An immunopathologic condition characterized by tissue trauma caused by an immune response against tissue constituents of one’s own body.

Question 14

B-cell lymphocyte

Answer 14

A type of lymphocyte that develops in lymphoid tissue other than the thymus and that can later differentiate into a plasma cell that produces antibody, the main initiator of humoral immunity.

Question 15

Cell-mediated immunity

Answer 15

A type of immunity in which the major role is played by T-cell lymphocytes.

Question 16

Connective tissue diseases

Answer 16

A category of autoimmune diseases with connective tissue as the primary target of the pathology.

Question 17

Cytokines

Answer 17

The proteins produced by various cell types for the purpose of intercellular communication or signaling; immunologic cytokines are involved as biochemical mediators in the immune response.

Question 18

Delayed hypersensitivity

Answer 18

A type of hypersensitivity reaction that takes time to develop after t-cell lymphocytes are previously introduced to an antigen to either directly cause damage to the tissue cells or recruit other cells that cause the damage.

Question 19

Dendritic cells

Answer 19

A type of white blood cell that acts as an antigen-presenting cell in the skin and mucosa.

Question 20

Dysgeusia

Answer 20

An alteration in taste.

Question 21

Humoral immunity

Answer 21

A type of immunity in which both the B-cell lymphocytes and the antibodies they produce as plasma cells play a predominant role.

Question 22

Hypersensitivity

Answer 22

An altered state of reactivity in which the body reacts to a foreign agent such as an allergen with an exaggerated immune response; includes the four types, type I through IV.

Question 23

Hyposalivation

Answer 23

Decreased salivary flow that may result in xerostomia.

Question 24

Immune complex

Answer 24

The combination of an antibody and antigen, producing a complex that can initiate a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.

Question 25

Immunization

Answer 25

An induction of active immunity, such as when the pathogenic microorganism used to induce active immunity is encountered after vaccination.

Question 26

Immunodeficiency

Answer 26

A type of immunopathologic condition that involves a compromised or entirely absent immune system involving its white blood cells and their products.

Question 27

Immunoglobulins

Answer 27

The proteins that, when secreted by plasma cells, serve as antibodies designed to respond to a specific antigen.

Question 28

Immunomodulator

Answer 28

A substance that alters the immune response by augmenting or reducing the ability of the immune system to produce antibodies or sensitized cells that recognize and react with the antigen that initiated their production.

Question 29

Interferon

Answer 29

A family of glycoproteins that have immunoregulatory, antineoplastic, and antiviral activity; it is one of the cytokines.

Question 30

Langerhans cell

Answer 30

A specialized dendritic cell found in the skin and mucosa that is involved in the immune response.

Question 31

LE cell

Answer 31

Mature neutrophil with a phagocytized spherical inclusion derived from another neutrophil; it is used as a marker of autoimmune disease.

Question 32

Lymphocytes

Answer 32

The white blood cells involved in the immune response that have three major subsets; the B-cell lymphocyte, T-cell lymphocyte, and natural killer cell.

Question 33

Lymphoid tissue

Answer 33

Tissue composed of lymphocytes supported by a meshwork of connective tissue; includes tonsillar tissue, lymph nodes, and lymphatic organs.

Question 34

Lymphokines

Answer 34

The subset of cytokines produced by B-cell or T-cell lymphocytes in contact with antigens that serve as biochemical mediators in an immune response.

Question 35

Macrophage

Answer 35

A large tissue-bound mononuclear phagocyte derived from monocytes circulating in the blood, which can become mobile when stimulated by inflammation and interact with lymphocytes in an immune response as well as during inflammation.

Question 36

Monokines

Answer 36

The subset of cytokines primarily produced by monocytes or macrophages that serve as biochemical mediators in an immune response.

Question 37

Mucositis

Answer 37

The inflammation of a mucosal tissue due to a disease process.

Question 38

Natural killer cell

Answer 38

Type of lymphocyte that is part of the initial innate immune response, which by unknown mechanisms is able to directly destroy cells recognized as foreign.

Question 39

Nikolsky sign

Answer 39

Diagnostic sign whereby the superficial epithelium separates easily from the basal layer on exertion of firm, sliding manual pressure with the fingers or a tongue blade.

Question 40

Passive immunity

Answer 40

Type of immunity that uses antibodies produced by another person to protect an individual against infectious disease, which includes both natural and acquired.

Question 41

Plasma cel

Answer 41

The cell derived from B-cell lymphocytes that produces antibodies in response to the presence of antigen.

Question 42

Pruritus

Answer 42

The symptom of severe itching due to a disease process, possibly a hypersensitivity reaction or allergy.

Question 43

Rheumatoid factor

Answer 43

Antibody that binds to certain antibodies found in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue disease such as Sjögren syndrome. Current assays test for IgM-class rheumatoid factor.

Question 44

Schirmer test

Answer 44

A test that measures lacrimal gland flow by placing special filer paper strips inside the lower eyelid for 5 minutes.

Question 45

Serum sickness

Answer 45

A classic example of type III hypersensitivity that involves a drug allergy to antitoxin serum from horses.

Question 46

Syndrome

Answer 46

A group of signs and symptoms that occur together.

Question 47

Symblepharon

Answer 47

Fibrous adhesion between the eyeball and conjunctiva.

Question 48

T-cell lymphocyte

Answer 48

A lymphocyte that matures in the thymus and is mainly responsible for initiating cell-mediated immunity as well as modulating humoral immunity.

Question 49

Thymus

Answer 49

Organ consisting of lymphoid tissue located high in the chest, which is large in an infant and gradually shrinks in size in adulthood: site of T-cell lymphocyte maturation.

Question 50

Xerostomia

Answer 50

Dryness of the mucous membranes, including the oral cavity; usually caused by hyposalivation or decreased salivary flow.