pathology: lymphatic and immune Flashcards
allergist
physician, usually immunologist, who specializes in testing for and treating allergies and asthma
immunology
branch of medicine concerned with diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases and other disorders of immune system; physician is an immunologist
pathology
branch of medicine concerned with determining underlying causes and development of diseases; physician is a pathologist
hives
appearance of wheals as part of allergic reaction
inflammation
tissues’ response to injury from pathogens or physical agents; characterized by redness, pain, swelling, and feeling hot to the touch
lymphedema
swelling appearing in extremities due to obstruction of lymph flow through lymphatic vessels
splenomegaly
enlarged spleen
uticaria
severe itching associated with hives, usually linked to food allergy, stress, or drug reactions
allergic asthma
inflammation and narrowing of airways triggered by inhaling an allergen; symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
allergic conjunctivitis
inflammation of the conjunctiva (protective membrane over front of eyeball) caused by allergens in the air
allergic rhinitis
allergic reaction caused by inhaling an allergen, such as pollen, animal dander, or mold; symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, congestion, postnasal drip, cough, and itchy, watery eyes; commonly called hay fever
allergy
hypersensitivity to common substance in environment or medication; substance causing allergic reaction is called allergen
anaphylactic shock
life-threatening condition resulting from a severe allergic reaction; examples of instances that may trigger this reaction include bee sting, medications, or ingestion of foods; circulatory and respiratory problems occur, including respiratory distress, hypotension, edema, tachycardia, and convulsions; also called anaphylaxis
contact dermatitis
skin irritation caused by skin coming into direct contact with an allergen; symptoms may include redness, itching, rash, and blisters; common allergens are poison ivy, soaps, fragrances, and jewelry
adenoiditis
inflammation of adenoids
autoimmune disease
disease resulting from body’s immune system attacking its own cells as if they are pathogens; examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis
elephantiasis
abnormal condition caused by obstruction, inflammation, and destruction of lymph vessels resulting in enlarged tissues due to edema; in severe cases, there are so much swelling that knee and angle, joints, disappear, giving the appearance of an elephant leg
hodgkin disease (HD)
cancer of lymphatic cells found in concentration in lymph nodes; also called hodgkin lymphoma
lymphadentitis
inflammation of lymph nodes; commonly called swollen glands
lymphadenopathy
general term for lymph node diseases
lymphangioma
tumor in a lymphatic vessel
lymphoma
tumor in lymphatic tissue
mononucleosis
acute infectious abnormal condition with large number of abnormal mononuclear lymphocytes; caused by epstein-barr virus; abnormal liver function may occur; commonly called kissing disease since virus can be spread by saliva
non-Hodgkin lymphoma
cancerous tumor of lymphatic tissues other than Hodgkin lymphoma
thymoma
tumor of thymus gland
tonsillitis
inflammation of tonsils
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
disease involving defect in cell-mediated immunity (protection) system; syndrome of opportunistic infections occurring in final stages of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); virus attacks T4 lymphocytes and destroys them, reducing person’s ability to fight infection
AIDS-related complex
early stages of AIDS; there is a positive test for virus but only mild symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, skin rash, and anorexia
graft versus host disease (GVHD)
serious complication of bone marrow transplant (graft); immune cells from donor bone marrow attack recipient’s (host’s) tissues
human immunodeficiency virus
virus that causes AIDS; it received its name because it destroys the immune (protection) system; also known as a retrovirus
immunocompromised
having immune system that is unable to respond properly to pathogens; also called immunodeficiency disorder
Kaposi sarcoma
cancerous tumor in connective tissue layer of the skin; frequently seen in patients with AIDS; consists of brownish-purple papules that spread from skin and metastasize to internal organs
multiple myeloma
originates in plasma cells (type of lymphocyte responsible for making antibodies); overtime, these malignant cells collect in bone marrow, resulting in a bone marrow tumor; may spread to skeleton
pneumocystis pneumonia
lung condition common in patients with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients, caused by pneumocystis jiroveci fungus
sarcoidosis
autoimmune abnormal condition of unknown cause that forms fibrous lesions commonly appearing in lymph nodes, liver, skin, lungs, spleen, eyes, and small bones of hands and feet
severe combined immunodeficiency
disease seen in children born with non-functioning immune system; often these children are forced to live in sealed sterile rooms
carbapenem-resistant enterbacteriaceae (CRE) infection
infection by group of bacteria that have resistance to a powerful group of antibiotics called carbapenems; almost all infections occur in healthcare settings, especially among patients with ventilators, urinary catheters, intravenous catheters, or on long-term antibiotics
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection
infection with clostridium difficile bacteria causes inflammation of colon; symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, fever, and abdominal pain; most commonly occurs in persons with conditions requiring extended use of antibiotics; infection spread through contact with contaminated feces
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection
infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is resistant to many common antibiotics, such as methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin; spread through contact with contaminated surface, often improperly washed hands
