Medical Terminology, Chapter 6 Terms, The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
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Created by:
Lefty66 on April 29, 2009
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medical terminology MTC, Chisholm Trail HCC
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158 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) | the most advanced, and fatal, stage of an HIV infection |
| adenocarcinoma | any one of a large group of carcinomas derived from glandular tissue |
| adenoids | located in the nasopharynx |
| adjuvant therapy | used after the primary treatments have been completed to decrease the chance that a cancer will recur |
| allergen | a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual |
| allergic reaction | occurs when the body's immune system reacts to a harmless allergen such as pollen, food, or animal dander as if it were a dangerous invader |
| allergist | specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity, such as allergic reactions |
| allergy | an overreaction by the body to a particular antigen |
| anaphylaxis | a severe response to an allergen in which the symptoms develop quickly, and without help, the patient can die within a few minutes. |
| angiogenesis | the process through which the tumor supports its growth by creating its own blood supply |
| antiangiogenesis | a form of treatment that disrupts this blood supply to the tumor |
| antibiotic resistant bacteria | develop when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria it targets |
| antibiotic | medications that are capable of inhibiting growth, or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms |
| antibody | 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, and includes viruses, bacteria, toxins, and transplanted tissues |
| antigen-antibody reaction | a reaction that labels a potentially dangerous antigen so that it can be recognized, and destroyed, by other cells of the immune system |
| antihistamines | medications administered to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergies |
| antineoplastic | medication that blocks the development, growth, or proliferation of malignant cells |
| antiviral drug | used to treat viral infections or to provide temporary immunity |
| autoimmune disorder | any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues |
| axillary lymph nodes | located under the arms in the armpits |
| B cells | specialized lymphocytes that produce and secrete antibodies |
| bacilli | rod-shaped spore-forming bacteria |
| bacteria | one-celled microscopic organisms, some of which are pathogenic |
| benign tumor | a noncancerous growth |
| brachytherapy | the use of radioactive materials in contact with, or implanted into, the tissues to be treated |
| breast cancer | a carcinoma that develops from the cells of the breast and can spread to adjacent lymph nodes and other body sites |
| breast self-examination | an essential self-care procedure for the early detection of breast cancer |
| cancer | a class of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either by invasion through direct growth into adjacent tissue or by spreading into distant sites by metastasizing |
| candidiasis | infections occurring on the skin or mucous membranes in the warm, moist areas such as the vagina or the mouth |
| carcinoma | a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue |
| carcinoma in situ | describes a malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded the surrounding tissues |
| cervical lymph nodes | located along the sides of the neck |
| chemoprevention | the use of natural or synthetic substances such as drugs or vitamins to reduce the risk of developing cancer, or to reduce the chance that cancer will recur |
| chemotheraphy | the use of chemical agents and drugs in combinations selected to destroy malignant cells and tissues |
| complement | a group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form and are activated by contact with nonspecific antigens such as foreign blood cells or bacteria |
| corticosteroid drug | a hormone-like preparation administered primarily as a anti-inflammatory and as an immunosuppressant |
| cytomegalovirus | a member of the herpesvirus family that cause a variety of diseases |
| cytotoxic drug | a medication that kills or damages cells |
| dendritic cells | specialized white blood cells that patrol the body searching for antigens that produce infections |
| ductal carcinoma in situ | breast cancer at its earliest stage before the cancer has broken through the wall of the milk duct |
| ELISA | enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a blood test used to screen for the presence of HIV antibodies |
| fungus | a simple parasitic organism |
| hemolytic | destroying worn-out red blood cells and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse |
| herpes zoster | an acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of an inflamed nerve |
| Hodgkin's lymphoma | distinguished from other lymphomas by the presence of large, cancerous lymphocytes known as Reed-Sternberg cells |
| human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | a bloodborne infection in which the virus damages or kills the cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail |
| immunity | the state of being resistant to a specific disease |
| immunodeficiency disorder | occurs when the immune response is compromised |
| immunoglobulin A | the class of antibodies produced predominantly against ingested antigens; found in body secretions such as saliva, sweat, or tears, and function to prevent the attachment of viruses and bacteria to the epithelial surfaces that line most organs |
| immunoglobulin D | the class of antibodies found only on the surface of B cells; important in B cell activation |
| immunoglobulin E | the class of antibodies produced in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes; responsible for allergic reactions |
| immunoglobulin G | the most abundant class of antibodies; found in blood serum and lymph; active against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and foreign particles |
| immunoglobulin M | the class of antibodies that are found in circulating body fluids; the first antibodies to appear in response to an initial exposure to an antigen |
| immunoglobulins | bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response |
| immunologist | specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system |
| immunosuppressant | a substance that prevents or reduces the body's normal immune response |
| immunosuppression | treatment to repress or interfere with the ability of the immune system to respond to stimulation by antigens |
| immunotherapy | a disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response |
| infectious mononucleosis | an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that is characterized by fever, a sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes |
| infiltrating ductal carcinoma | starts in the milk duct, breaks through the wall of that duct, and invades the fatty breast tissue |
| infiltrating lobular carcinoma | cancer that starts in the milk glands, breaks through the wall of the gland, and invades the fatty tissue of the breast |
| inflammatory breast cancer | the most aggressive and least common form of breast cancer |
| inguinal lymph nodes | located in the inguinal (groin) area of the lower abdomen |
| intact skin | wraps the body in a physical barrier that prevents invading organisms from entering the body |
| interferon | a family of proteins produced by the T cells whose specialty is fighting viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication |
| interstitial fluid | plasma from arterial blood that flows out of the capillaries and into the spaces between the cells |
| Kaposi's sarcoma | a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, or in other organs; frequently associated with HIV |
| lacteals | specialized structures of the lymphatic system |
| lingual tonsils | located at the base of the tongue |
| localized allergic response | includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen |
| lumpectomy | the surgical removal of only the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of normal tissue |
| Lyme disease | caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick |
| lymph | a clear, watery fluid that transports waste products and proteins out of the spaces between the cells of the body tissues; it also destroys bacteria or other pathogens that are present in the tissues |
| lymph node | contains specialized lymphocytes that are capable of destroying pathogens |
| lymph node dissection | a surgical procedure in which all of the lymph nodes in a major group are removed to determine or slow the spread of cancer |
| lymphadenitis | inflammation of the lymph nodes |
| 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 |
| lymphatic capillaries | microscopic, blind-ended tubes located near the surface of the body |
| lymphatic circulation | transports lymph from tissues throughout the body and eventually returns this fluid to the venous circulation |
| lymphatic vessels | lymph flows from the lymphatic capillaries into these progressively larger vessels, which are located deeper within the tissues |
| lymphedema | swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues |
| lymphocytes | white blood cells that are formed in bone marrow as stem cells |
| lymphokines | direct the antigen-antibody response by signaling between the cells of the immune system |
| 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 |
| macrophage | a type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills invading cells |
| malaria | a disease caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes that is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito |
| male breast cancer | can occur in the small amount of breast tissue that is normally present in men |
| malignant tumor | harmful, capable of spreading to distant body sites including other body systems, can become progressively worse, and is progressively life-threatening |
| mammography | a radiographic examination of the breasts to detect the presence of tumors or precancerous cells |
| mastectomy | the surgical removal of the entire breast and nipple |
| measles | an acute, highly contagious infection caused by the rubeola virus and transmitted by respiratory droplets |
| measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination | prevents these three viral conditions |
| metastasis | a new cancer site that results from the spreading process |
| metastasize | the process by which cancer spreads from one place to another |
| methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | MRSA |
| modified radical mastectomy | the surgical removal of the entire breast and all of the axillary lymph nodes under the adjacent arm |
| monoclonal antibodies | any of a class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by identical offspring of a clone of specific cells |
| mumps | an acute viral disease characterized by the swelling of the parotid glands, which are the salivary glands located just in front of the ears |
| myoma | a benign tumor made up of muscle tissue |
| myosarcoma | a malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue |
| needle breast biopsy | a technique in which an x-ray guided needle is used to remove small samples of tissue from the breast |
| Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | the term used to describe all lymphomas other than Hodgkin's lymphoma |
| oncologist | a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating malignant disorders such as tumors and cancer |
| oncology | the study of the prevention, causes, and treatment of tumors and cancer |
| opportunistic infection | caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans |
| osteosarcoma | a malignant tumor usually involving the upper shaft of long bones, the pelvis, or knee |
| palatine tonsils | located on the left and right sides of the throat in the area that is visible through the mouth |
| parasite | a plant or animal that lives on, or within, another living organism at the expense of that organism |
| pathogen | a microorganism that causes a disease in humans |
| Peyer's patches | located on the walls of the ileum; work with the immune system to protect against the entry of pathogens through the digestive system |
| phagocyte | a large white blood cell that can destroy substances such as cell debris, dust, pollen, and pathogens by the process of phagocytosis |
| plasma cells | specialized white blood cells that produce antibodies coded to destroy specific antigens |
| primary lymphedema | a heredity disorder due to malformation of the lymphatic system |
| professional palpation of the breast | performed to feel the texture, size, and consistency of the breast |
| rabies | an acute viral infection that is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite or saliva of an infected animal |
| radiation therapy | used in the treatment of some cancers |
| radical mastectomy | the surgical removal of an entire breast and many of the surrounding tissues |
| rickettsia | a small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites |
| right lymphatic duct | collects lymph from the right side of the head and neck, the upper right quadrant of the body, and the right arm; empties into the right subclavian vein |
| Rocky Mountain spotted fever | caused by Rickettsis rickettsii and is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick |
| rubella | a viral infection characterized by a low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes, and a fine, pink rash |
| sarcoma | a malignant tumor that arises from connective tissues, including hard tissues, soft tissues, and liquid tissues |
| scratch test | a diagnostic test to identify commonly troublesome allergens such as tree pollen and ragweed |
| secondary lymphedema | caused by damage to the lymphatic system that most commonly produces swelling in the limb nearest to the damaged lymphatic vessels |
| septic shock | a serious condition that occurs when an overwhelming bacterial infection affects the body |
| spirochetes | spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement |
| spleen | a saclike mass of lymphoid tissue located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just inferior to (below) the diaphragm and posterior to (behind) the stomach |
| splenomegaly | abnormal enlargement of the spleen |
| splenorrhagia | bleeding from the spleen |
| staging | the process of classifying tumors with respect to how far the disease has progressed, the potential for its responding to therapy, and the patient's prognosis |
| staphylococci | a group of about 30 species of bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters resembling grapes |
| staphylococcus aureus | a form of staphylococci that commonly infects wounds and causes serious problems such as toxic shock syndrome or produces food poisoning |
| streptococci | bacteria that form a chain |
| surgical biopsy | the removal of a small piece of tissue for examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis |
| synovial sarcoma | a malignant tumor of the tissue surrounding a synovial joint |
| synthetic immunoglobulins | used as a postexposure preventive measure against certain viruses |
| synthetic interferon | used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and some cancers |
| systemic reaction or anaphylaxis | a severe response to an allergen |
| T cells | small lymphocytes that mature in the thymus as a result of exposure to the hormone thymosin, which is secreted by the thymus |
| targeted therapy | a developing form of anti-cancer drug therapy that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells |
| teletherapy | radiation therapy administered at a distance from the body |
| tetanus | caused by the bacillus Clostridium tetani and is transmitted through a cut or wound |
| thoracic duct | collects lymph from the left side of the head and neck, the upper left quadrant of the trunk, the left arm, and the entire lower portion of the trunk and both legs; empties into the left subclavian vein |
| thymus | located superior to (above) the heart |
| tinea pedis | a fungal infection that commonly develops between the toes and on the feet |
| tonsils | three masses of lymphoid tissue that form a protective ring around the back of the nose and the upper throat |
| toxoplasmosis | a parasite which is most commonly transmitted from animals to humans by contact with contaminated feces |
| tumor | a growth of tissue that forms an abnormal mass |
| varicella | a viral condition characterized by a fever and a rash consisting of hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts |
| vermiform appendix | hangs from the lower portion of the cecum |
| viruses | very small infectious agents that live only by invading other cells |
| West Nile virus | spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito |
| Western blot test | a blood test that produces more accurate results than the ELISA test |
| yeast | a type of fungus |
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