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14.6 Lymph Terms
Conditions, Procedures and Vocabulary of the Lymphatic system
Term | Definition |
---|---|
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) | syndrome associated with suppression of the immune system and marked by opportunistic infections, secondary neoplasms, and neurologic problems. |
allergy | abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen. |
lymphoma | malignant tumor of lymph nodes and lymph tissue. |
multiple myeloma | malignant tumor of bone marrow cells. |
thymoma | malignant tumor of the thymus gland. |
CD4+ cell count | measures the number of CD4+ cells (helper T cells) in the bloodstream of patients with AIDS. |
ELISA | screening test to detect anti HIV antibodies in the bloodstream |
acquired immunity | formation of antibodies and lymphocytes after exposure to an antigen |
adenoids | masses of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx |
antigen | substance that the body recognizes as foreign: evokes an immune response |
axillary node | any of the 20-30 lymph nodes in the armpit |
B cell | lymphocyte that originates in the bone marrow and transforms into a plasma cell to secrete antibodies |
cell-mediated immunity | an immune response involving T-lymphocytes; antigens are destroyed by direct action of cells, as opposed to by antibodies |
cervical node | one of many lymph nodes in the neck region |
cytokine | protein made by T lymphocytes that aides in antigen destruction (interferons, interleukins, colony stimulating factors) |
cytotoxic T cell | T lymphocyte that directly kills foreign cells |
dendritic cell | cell that ingests antigens and presents them to T cells |
helper T cell | Lymphocyte that aids B cells in recognizing antigens and stimulating antibody production (also called T4 cell or CD4+ cell) |
humoral immunity | immune response in which B cells transform into plasma cells and secret antibodies |
immune response | body's capacity to resist foreign organisms and toxins that can damage tissue and organs |
immunoglobulins | antibodies (gamma globulins) that are secreted by plasma cells in humoral immunity. |
immunotherapy | use of immunologic knowledge and techniques to treat or prevent disease (innoculation, vaccines) |
inguinal node | one of several lymph nodes in the groin region |
interferon | antiviral protein secreted by T cells; they also stimulate macrophages to ingest bacterial. |
interleukins | proteins that stimulate the growth of B or T lymphocytes and activate specific components of the immune response |
interstitial fluid | Fluid in the space between cells. This fluid becomes lymph when it enters lymph capillaries. |
killer T cell | cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte that recognizes and destroys foreign cells (viruses and tumor cells). |
lymph | thin, watery fluid within the lymphatic vessels and collected from tissues throughout the body. |
lymph capillaries | tiniest lymphatic vessels. |
lymphoid organs | lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus gland. |
lymph node | stationary solid lymphatic tissue along lymph vessels |
lymph vessel | carrier of lymph throughout the body; lymphatic vessels empty lymph into veins in the upper part of the chest. |
macrophage | large phagocyte found in lymph nodes and other tissues of the body. |
mediastinal node` | one of many lymph nodes in the area between the lungs in the thoracic cavity. |
monoclonal antibody | antibody produces in a laboratory to attack antigens. it is useful in immunotherapy and cancer treatment. |
natural immunity | an individual's own genetic ability to fight off disease. |
plasma cell | lymphoid cell that secretes an antibody and originates from B lymphocytes. |
right lymphatic duct | large lymphatic vessel in the chest that receives lymph from the upper right part of the body. |
spleen | Organ near the stomach that produces, stores, and eliminates blood cells. |
suppressor T cell | lymphocyte that inhibits the activity of B and T lymphocytes. |
T cell | lymphocyte that originates in the bone marrow but matures in the thymus gland; it acts directly on antigens to destroy them or produce chemicals such as interferons and interleukins that are toxic to antigens |
tolerance | in the thymus, T lymphocytes learn to recognize and accept the body's own antigens as "self" or friendly. |
thoracic duct | large lymphatic vessel in the chest that receives lymph from below the diaphragm; it empties the lymph into veins in the upper chest |
thymus gland | Organ in the mediastinim that produces T lymphocytes and aids in the immune response. |
tonsils | masses of lymphatic tissue in the back of the oropharynx |
toxin | poison; a protein produced by certain bacteria, animals, or plants. |
vaccination | introduction of altered antigens (viruses or bacteria) to produce an immune response and protection against disease. |
vaccine | weakened or killed microorganisms or toxins administered to induce immunity to infection or disease. |
immunoelectrophoresis | Test that separates immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD). |
viral load tests | Tests that measure the amount of AIDS virus (HIV) in the bloodstream. |
computed tomography (CT) scan | X-ray imaging in the transverse plane produces cross sectional views of anatomic structures. |