Medical Terminology ch. 14

lymph nodes:

stationary lymphatic tissue along the path of lymph vessels all over the body

thoracic duct:

large lymph vessel in the chest that drains lymph from the lower part and left side of the body above the diaphragm

spleen:

organ near the stomach that produces, stores, and eliminates blood cells

adenoids:

mass of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx

thymus gland:

organ in the mediastinum that conditions T lymphocytes and helps in the immune response

lymph capillaries:

tiniest lymph vessels

right lymphatic duct:

large lymph vessel in the chest that drains lymph from the upper right part of the body

interstitial fluid:

fluid present between cells that becomes lymph as it enters the lymph capillaries

inguinal nodes:

groin region

axillary nodes:

armpit region

cervical nodes:

neck (of the body) region

mediastinal nodes:

space between the lungs in the chest

dendritic cell:

cell that digests foreign cells and helps B and T cells mark antigens for destruction

complement system:

proteins that help antibodies and T cells kill their target

helper T cell:

T4 cell that aids B cells in recognizing antigens

macrophage:

large phagocyte found in lymph nodes and other tissues of the body

plasma cell:

cell that originates from a B lymphocyte and secretes antibodies

suppressor T cell:

treg cell that inhibits the activity of B and T lymphocytes

immunoglobulins:

antibodies-IgA, IgE, IgG, IgM, IgD

toxins:

poisons (antigens)

cytotoxic T cells:

T lymphocytes that directly kill foreign cells (T8) cells

interferons:

antiviral proteins secreted by T cells

lymph:

clear, watery fluid that surrounds body cells

immune system:

the defense of the body against foreign organisms such as bacteria and viruses

natural immunity:

protection that is inherited and is present at birth to fight off infection

acquired immunity:

body's ability to form antibodies and mobilize lymphocytes to fight an infection after exposure to an antigen

vaccination:

by exposing a person to proteins, killed viruses, or bacterial components, it is possible to stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies, they protect against an attack of the disease, should the person be exposed to the virus at a later time

immun-

protection

lymph-

lymph

lymphaden-

lymph node

splen-

spleen

thym-

thymus gland

tox-

poison

ana-

again, anew

inter-

between

AIDS:

(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) group of clinical signs and symptoms associated with suppression of the immune system and marked by opportunistic infections, secondary neoplasms, and neurologic problems, caused by HIV

allergy:

abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen

systemic anaphylaxis:

an extraordinary hypersensitivity reaction occurs throughout the body, leading to fall in blood pressure, shock, respiratory distress, and swelling

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus, causes AIDS