 | Term | Definition |
| |
Active Immunity |
The introduction of immunity by infection or with a vaccine. |
| |
Antibodies |
Specialized proteins that lock onto specific antigens. |
| |
Antigen |
A foreign substance that invades the body. |
| |
B lymphocytes |
White blood cells created and matured in the bone marrow that seek out invading organisms and send T lymphcyes to destroy them |
| |
Chemotherapy |
Cancer treatment using drugs. |
| |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) |
Immune system disorder of unknown origin. |
| |
Complement |
A group of proteins activated by antibodies that assist in destroying bacteria, viruses, and infected cells. |
| |
Cortex |
In the kidney, the outer layer, in which the arteries, veins, convoluted tubules, and glomerular capsules are found. |
| |
Germinal Centers |
The primary resting place for B lymphocytes. |
| |
Immune Response |
A series of immune system attacks on organisms and substances that invade the body systems and cause disease. |
| |
Immune System |
The tissues, organs, and physiologic processes, used by the body to identify abnormal cells and foreign substances and defend against those that might be harmful, including bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins, and parasites. |
| |
Infectious Mononucleosis |
Also called simply mono and "the kissing disease." A viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), part of the herpes family, characterized by an increase in white blood cells that contain a singe nucleus and commonly found in young adults. |
| |
Leukocytes |
Also called white blood cells. Larger blood cells that fight infection and thus contribute to homeostasis. |
| |
Lymphadema |
A condition resulting from an interruption of the normal lymphatic flow. The two types are primary, in which each stage is called by a different name (Milroy's disease or syndrome, Meige lymphadema or lymphadema praecox, lymphdema tarda) and secondary, generally caused by an obstruction of or injury to the lymph system. |
| |
Lymphocytes |
White blood cells created in the bone marrow that allow the body to recognize organisms that have invaded it previously. The two kinds are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. |
| |
Medulla |
In the kidney, in the middle portion, in which the renal pyramids are found. In the lymph node, the portion primarily made up of macrophages attached to reticular fibers. |
| |
Metastasis |
A process in which cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other areas of the body, where they form new tumors. |
| |
Neutrophils |
White blood cells, the most common type of phagocyte, that primarily attack bacteria. |
| |
Oncogenes |
The genes controlling cell growth and multiplication that are transformed into cancer cells by cancer-causing agents. |
| |
Phagocytes |
Several types of white blood cells that attack invading organisms, the most common being neutrophils, which primarily attack bacteria. |
| |
Radiation Therapy |
Cancer treatment using high-energy waves, such as x-rays, to damage and destroy cancer cells. |
| |
Rheumatoid Arthritis |
An immune system disorder in which the body's defenses attack the tissue in the joints, leading to inflammation, degeneration of the articular cartilage, and deformation of the joints. |
| |
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLC) |
System-wide immune system disorder in which the body produces abnormal antibodies that attack its own tissues rather than foreign organisms. Lupus refers to a type of skin rash and erythematosus. |
| |
T Lymphocytes |
White blood cells created in the bone marrow and matured in the thymus gland that destroy invading organisms identified by the B lymphocytes. |
