6. BLOOD, LYMPHATICS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM

Erythrocyte: The red blood cell. It contains hemoglobin and carries oxygen. They

are biconcave in shape which increases the cell’s surface area and facilitates the

diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Hemoglobin: Iron containing oxygen transport protein in the red blood cells.

Erythropoietin: Hormone secreted by the kidney stimulating the production of

erythrocytes from the bone marrow.

Bilirubin: Yellow or orange pigment that is a breakdown product of hemoglobin.

Leukocyte: White blood cells. They defend the body against both infectious disease

and foreign materials.

Basophil: Granulocytic white blood cell which contains heparin and histamine.

Heparin: An anticlotting substance.

Histamine: A chemical released in allergic response.

Eosinophils: Granulocytic white blood cell responsible for combating infection and

parasites. They increase in allergic responses and engulf substances that trigger the

allergies.

Neutrophils: Granulocytic white blood cell that accumulate at sites of infection,

where they ingest and destroy bacteria.

Monocyte: Agranulocytic white blood cell which become macrophages as they leave

the blood and enter body tissues.

Macrophage: Monocyte that migrates from the blood to tissue spaces. It is a large

phagocyte.

Lymphocyte: White blood cell that plays an important role in immune response

that protects the body against infection.

Platelets: Thrombocytes involved in formation of blood clots.

Plasma: Is the liquid part of blood consists of water, dissolved proteins, sugar,

wastes, salts, hormones, and other substances. The four major plasma proteins are

albumin, globulin, fibrinogen and prothrombin.

Albumin: Plasma protein that maintains the proper proportion of water in the

blood.

Globulins: One of the plasma proteins. There are alpha, beta and gammaglobulins.

Plasmapheresis: Process of separating plasma from cells and then removing the

plasma from the patient. It is a blood purification procedure used to treat several

autoimmune diseases. It is also known as therapeutic plasma exchange. It is an

effective temporary treatment for Guillain-Barr syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and if

the blood is too thick.

Hemolysis: Destruction or breakdown of red blood cells.

Immunoglobulin: Protein that is globulin with antibody activity.

Coagulation: Blood clotting.

Fibrin: Protein threads that form the basis of a blood clot.

FIBRINOGEN: Plasma protein that is converted to fibrin in the clotting process.

Rh Factor: Antigen on red blood cells of Rh positive individuals.

Serum: Plasma minus clotting proteins and cells.

Anemia: Deficiency in erythrocytes or hemoglobin.

Aplastic anemia: Failure of red blood cell production due to aplasia that is absence

of

development of bone marrow cells.

Hemolytic anemia: Reduction in red cells due to excessive destruction.

Pernicious anemia: Lack of mature erythrocytes caused by inability to absorb

vitamin

B12 into the body.

Sickle cell anemia: A hereditary condition characterized by abnormal sickle shape

of

erythrocytes and by hemolysis.

Thalassemia: Genetic defect that results in reduced synthesis of one of the globin

chains that make up hemoglobin.

Hemochromatosis: Excess iron deposits throughout the body.

Polycythemia vera: General increase in red blood cells.

Hemophilia: Excessive bleeding caused by hereditary lack of one of the protein

substances necessary for blood clotting.

Purpura: Multiple pinpoint hemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin.

Leukemia: Increase in cancerous white blood cells.

Granulocytosis: Abnormal increase in granulocytes in the blood.

Mononucleosis: An infectious disease marked by increased numbers of leukocytes

and enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Multiple myeloma: Malignant neoplasm of bone marrow.

Lymph: Is a clear watery fluid that surrounds the body cells and flows in a system

of

lymph vessels that extends throughout the body.

Interstitial fluid: The fluid that surrounds the body cells. It filters out of tiny blood

capillaries into the spaces between cells.

Lymph nodes: Collection of stationary lymph tissue located along the path of

lymph vessels.

Tonsils: Masses of lymph tissue in the throat near the oropharynx.

Adenoids: Enlarged lymph tissue near the nasopharynx.

Acquired Immunity: Formation of antibodies and lymphocytes after exposure to

an antigen.

Antibody: Protein produced by B lymphocytes to destroy antigens.

Antigen: Substance that the body recognizes as foreign; evokes an immune

response.

Axillary node: Lymph node 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 antibodies.

Cervical node: Lymph node in the neck region.

Humoral immunity: immune response in which B cells transform into plasma cells

and secrete antibodies.

Immune response: Body’s capacity to resist foreign organisms and toxins that can

damage tissue and organs; humoral and cell mediated immunity.

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.