Immune System Chapter 9

Objectives UNDERSTAND the function of the immune and lymphatic systems. DESCRIBE the medical specialty of immunology. DEFINE immunology-related combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes. IDENTIFY the organs treated in immunology. BUILD immunology medical terms from word parts. EXPLAIN immunology medical terms. USE immunology abbreviations.

Immune System Definition Function A network of cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body that work together to protect the body against pathogens. Such as: viruses, bacteria, toxins, cancerous cells Function Lymphocytes are the white blood cells that carry out many of the functions of this system. Concentrated in the Lymphatic system which consist of: lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus gland, and spleen.

Medical Specialty Immunology Immunologist Allergist Is a branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats conditions involving the immune system. Immunologist Specialist who treat those who have allergies, immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancers relational to this system. Allergist Is an specialist who has specialized training in treating allergies.

Organs of the Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes or glands Stationary collections of lymph tissue located in lymph vessels. They act as filters or traps for foreign particles. They fight infections.

Collection of Lymph Nodes Cervical: neck region Axillary: armpit Inguinal: groin

Combining Forms

Adenoid/o = adenoids Mass of lymphoid tissue in the roof of the nasopharynx. Also known as the pharyngeal tonsil, or nasopharyngeal tonsil Present in all infants and children, and start to regress just before puberty. Can block the airflow in the nasal passage. adenoidectomy

immun/o = protection, immunity Responsible for: Protecting body against pathogens Removing damaged cells Immunology

Frequent sites of lymphomas. Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Lymph/o = lymph Lymphoma lim-FOH-mah -oma = tumor, mass Malignant tumor of lymph gland. “lymphosarcoma” Frequent sites of lymphomas. Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Lymph “limf” Clear fluid in tissue spaces and lymph vessels that brings protein to the blood, bacteria to the node to be destroyed and fats from our digestive system. Can also transport cancer cells Collected from body tissues through the lymph capillaries and transported through the lymphatic vessels to the lymph node back to the blood.

Lymphaden/o = lymph node (gland) Simple translation is “lymph gland” Which isn’t considered to be a true gland. It’s a small, roundish organ located along lymphatic vessels. Houses lymphocytes and other WBCs Removes pathogens and damaged cells as lymph passes through

Lymphadenectomy Limf-ah-deh-NEK-to-me Lymphaden/o = lymph node (gland) Aden/o = gland or glandular tissue -ectomy = removal Removal of lymph nodes (glands).

Lymphadenopathy lim-fad-eh-NOP-ah-the Aden/o = gland or node -pathy = disease Disease of lymph nodes.

Lymphadenitis lim-fa-deh-NIGH-tis Aden/o = gland or node -itis = inflammation Inflammation of lymph nodes (glands). “Swollen Glands”

Lymphangi/o = lymph vessel Vessels that pick up excess fluid from tissues and return it to the circulatory system.

Lymphangiectasis limf-pha-je-EK-tah-sis Lymphangi/o = lymph vessel -ectasis = dilation, widening, stretching angi/o = vessel Dilation of small lymph vessels; often resulting from obstruction in large lymph vessels.

Path/o = disease An abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism

Phag/o = eating phagocyte Some WBCs such as Monocytes are important since they can engulf or “eat” pathogens or damaged cells. phagocyte

Splen/o = spleen Definition An organ in the lymphatic system that’s located on the left side of the upper part of the abdomen. Function Houses WBCs responsible for filtering the blood and destroying worn-out red blood cells.

Splenomegaly splehn-o-MEG-ah-le Stores red cells and is source of lymphocytes. Filters foreign material from blood & disposes of dying blood cells. Splen/o = spleen -megaly = enlargement Enlargement of the spleen.

Thym/o = thymus gland Definition Function This gland is located in the mediastinum of the chest behind the sternum. Function To aids in the proper development of the immune system and by puberty it begins to shrink.

Tumor (malignant) of the thymus gland. Thymoma Thi-MO-mah Located in mediastinum, produces T-lymphocytes that play an important role in immunity. Thym/o – thymus gland -oma = tumor Tumor (malignant) of the thymus gland.

Tonsill/o = tonsils Definition Function There are three sets of tonsils located in the throat. Palatine, pharyngeal, and lingual Function Contains lymphatic tissue that protects the body from pathogens that are airborne and present in the foods we eat. Tonsillitis : Inflammation of the tonsils

Pathology

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Suppression or deficiency of immune response caused by exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). T-lymphocytes are destroyed by the virus.

Lymphoma lim-FOH-mah -oma = tumor, mass Malignant tumor of lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue. Hodgkin disease is an example of a lymphoma.

Mononucleosis Acute viral infection that causes enlarged lymph nodes & increased numbers of lymphocytes and monocytes in the blood. Caused by the Epstein Barr virus.

Diagnostic Tests

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ELISA Screening test for the detection of antibodies to HIV.

Western Blot Test Blood test to detect presence of antibodies to specific antigens such as HIV. Considered confirmatory test for HIV because it is more accurate than ELISA.

Scratch Test It’s a type of allergy testing by pricking the skin with a needle or pin containing a small amount of the allergen. If positive, the skin will become raised, red and appear itchy. The results are recorded- larger wheals indicating that the subject is more sensitive to that particular allergen. A negative test does not mean that the subject is not allergic; simply that either the right concentration was not used or the body failed to elicit a response.

Let’s Review

Combining Forms Match Up immun/o path/o phag/o splen/o thym/o thymus disease eating protection spleen