blast
germ of bud
chrom, chromat
color
chyl
juice
hem, hemato
blood
immuno
safe
lymph
clear fluid
morph
form
myel
bone marrow
phag
eat or swallow
plas
formation
reticul
a net
splen
spleen
thromb
clot
thym
thymus gland
plasma
liquid portion of the blood and lymph containing water, proteins, salts, nutrients, hormones, vitamins, and cellular components
serum
liquid portion of the blood left after the clotting process
erythrocyte
red blood cell that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide within the bloodstream
hemoglobin
protein- iron compound contained in the erythrocyte that has bonding capabilities for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
leukocyte
white blood cell that protects the body from invasion of harmful substances
granulocytes
a group of leukocytes containing granules in their cytoplasm
neutrophil
a granular leukocyte, named from the neutral stain of its granules, that fights infection by swallowing bacteria
polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)
another term for neutrophil, named for the many segments present in its nucleus
band
an immature neutrophil
eosinophil
a granular leukocyte, named for the rose-color stain of its granules, that increases with allergy and some infections
basophil
a granular leukocyte, named for the dark stain of its granules, that brings anticoagulant substances to inflamed tissues
agranulocytes
a group of leukocytes w/o granules in their nuclei
lymphocyte
an agranulocytic leukocyte that is active in the process of immunity-
there are four categories of lymphocytes:
-T cells (thymus dependent)
-B cells (bone marrow derived)
-NK cells (natural killer)
-K-type cells
monocyte
an agranulocytic leukocyte that performs phagocytosis to fight infection
platelets
thrombocytes; cell fragments in the blood essential for blood clotting
thymus
the primary gland of the lymphatic system, located within the mediastinum; helps maintain the body’s immune response by producing T lymphocytes
spleen
the organ between the stomach and diaphragm that filters out aging blood cells, removes cellular debris by performing phagocytosis, and provides the environment for the initiation of immune response by lymphocytes
lymph
fluid originating in the organs and tissues of the body that is circulated through the lymph vessels
lymph capillaries
microscopic vessels that draw lymph from the tissues to the lymph vessels
lymph vessels
vessels that receive lymph from the lymph capillaries and circulate it to the lymph nodes
lacteals
specialized lymph vessels in the small intestine that absorb fat into the bloodstream
chyle
a white or pale yellow substance of the lymph that contains fatty substances absorbed by the lacteals
lymph nodes
many small oval structures that filter the lymph received from the lymph vessels- major locations include the cervical region, axillary region, and inguinal region
lymph ducts
collecting channels that carry lymph from the lymph nodes to the veins
right lymphatic duct
receives lymph from the upper-right part of the body
thoracic duct
receives lymph from the left side of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, left arm, and lower extremities
antigen
a substance that, when introduced into the body, causes the formation of antibodies against it
antibody
a substance produced by the body that destroys or invades an antigen that has entered the body
immunoglobulins (Ig)
protein antibodies secreted by B lymphocytes that protect the body from invasion of foreign pathogens;
the five major classes include: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM
immunity
process of disease protection induced by exposure to an antigen
active immunity
an immunity that protects the body against a future infection, as the result of antibodies that develop naturally after contracting an infection or artificially after administration of a vaccine
passive immunity
an immunity resulting from antibodies that are conveyed naturally through the placenta to a fetus or artificially by infection of a serum containing antibodies
microcytosis
the presence of small red blood cells
macrocytosis
the presence of large red blood cells
anisocytosis
the presence of red blood cells of unequal size
poikilocytosis
the presence of large, irregular shaped red blood cells
reticulocytosis
an increase of immature erythrocytes in the blood
erythropenia
an abnormally reduced number of red blood cells
lymphocytopenia
an abnormally reduced number of lymphocytes
neutropenia
a decrease in the number of neutrophils
pancytopenia
an abnormally reduced number of all cellular components in the blood
hemolysis
breakdown of the red blood cell membrane
immunocompromised
impaired immunological defenses caused by an immunodeficiency disorder or therapy with immunosuppressive agents
immunosuppression
impaired ability to provide a immune response
lymphadenopathy
the presence of enlarged (diseased) lymph nodes
splenomegaly
enlargement of the spleen
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
a syndrome caused by the HIV that renders immune cells ineffective, permitting opportunistic infections, malignancies, and neurological diseases to develop
anemia
an condition in which there is a reduction in the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, or the volume of packed red cells in the blood, resulting in a diminished ability of the red blood cells to transport oxygen to the tissues
aplastic anemia
a normocytic-normochromic type of anemia characterized by the failure of bone marrow to produce red blood cells
iron deficiency anemia
a microcytic-hypochromic type of anemia characterized by a lack of iron, affecting production of hemoglobin and characterized by small red blood cells containing low amounts of hemoglobin
pernicious anemia
a macrocytic-normochromic type of anemia characterized by an inadequate supply of vitamin B12, causing red blood cells to become larger, varied in shape, and reduced in number
autoimmune disease
any disorder characterized by abnormal function of the immune system that causes the body to produce antibodies against itself, resulting in tissue destruction or loss of function
erythroblastosis fetalis
a disorder that results from the incompatibility of a fetus with an Rh-positive blood factor and a mother who is Rh negative, causing red blood cell destruction in the fetus; necessitates a blood transfusion to save the fetus
Rh factor
the presence, or lack, of antigens on the surface of red blood cells that may cause a reaction between the blood of the mother and fetus, resulting in fetal anemia
Rh positive
the presence of antigens
hemochromatosis
a hereditary disorder that results in an excessive buildup of iron deposits in the body
hemophilia
a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which there is a defect in clotting factors necessary for the coagulation of blood
leukemia
a chronic or acute malignant disease of the blood-forming organs, marked by abnormal leukocytes in the blood and bone marrow
myelodysplasia
a disorder within the bone marrow characterized by the proliferation of abnormal stem cells; usually develops into a specific type of leukemia
lymphoma
any neoplastic disorder of lymph tissue, usually malignant, as in Hodgkin’s disease
mononucleosis
a condition caused by the Epstein-Barr virus characterized by an increase in mononuclear cells in the blood, along with enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, and sore throat.
polycythemia
an increase in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the blood
septicemia
a systemic disease caused by the infection of microorganisms and their toxins in the circulating blood
thrombocytopenia
a bleeding disorder characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, which impairs the clotting process
blood chemistry panels
specialized batteries of automated blood chemistry test performed on a single sample of blood; used as a general screen for disease or to target specific organs or conditions
basic metabolic panel
battery of test used as a general screen for disease; Ca, CO2, Chloride, creatinine, glucose, K, Na, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
comprehensive metabolic panel
test in addition to the basic metabolic panel for expanded screening purposes: albumin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, protein, ALT and AST
blood culture
a test to determine if infection is present in the bloodstream by isolating a specimen of blood in an environment that encourages the growth of microorganisms
CD4 cell count
a measure of the number of CD4 cells (subset of T lymphocytes) in the blood
Complete blood count (CBC)
the most common lab blood test performed as a screen of general health or for diagnostic purposes
white blood count (WBC)
a count of the white blood cells/ cubic mm
red blood count (RBC)
a count of the number of red blood cells/ cubic mm
hemoglobin (HGB or Hgb)
test to determine the blood level of hemoglobin (grams)
hematocrit (HCT or Hct)
a measure of the percentage of packed red blood cells in a given volume of blood
blood indices
calculations of RBC, HGB, and HCT results to determine the average size, hemoglobin concentration, and content of red blood cells for classification of anemia
mean corpuscular (cell) volume (MCV)
a calculation of the volume of individual cells in cubic microns using HCT and RBC results
MCV=HCT/RBC
mean corpuscular (cell) hemoglobin (MCH)
calculation of the content in weight of hemoglobin in the average red blood cell using HGB and RBC
MCH=HGB/RBC
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
a calculation of the average hemoglobin concentration in each red blood cell using HGB and HCT results
MCHC= HGB/HCT
differential count
a determination of the number of each type of white blood cell (leukocyte) seen on a stained blood smear, each type is counted and reported as a percentage of the total examined
red cell morphology
as part of identifying and counting the WBCs, the condition of the size and shape of the red blood cells in the backgroud of the smear slide is noted
platelet count (PLT)
a calculation of the number of thrombocytes in the blood
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
a timed test to measure the rate at which red blood cells settle or fall through a given volume of plasma
partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
a test to determine coagulation defects such as platelet disorders
thromboplastin
a substance present in tissues, platelets, and leukocytes that is necessary for coagulation
prothrombin
a protein substance in the blood that is essential to the clotting process
prothrombin time (PT)
a test to measure the activity of prothrombin in the blood
venipuncture or
phlebotomy
an incision into or puncture of a vein to withdraw blood for testing
bone marrow aspiration
a needle aspiration of bone marrow tissue for pathological examination
bone marrow biopsy
a pathological examination of bone marrow tissue
lymphangiogram
an x-ray image of a lymph node or vessel taken after injection of a contrasting medium
computed tomography (CT)
full-body x-ray CT images are used to detect tumors and cancers such as lymphoma
positron emission tomography (PET)
radionuclide scans, especially of the whole body, are useful in determining the recurrence of cancers or to measure response to therapy
bone marrow transplant
the transplantation of healthy bone marrow from a compatible donor to a diseased recipient to stimulate blood cell production
lymphadenectomy
the removal of a lymph node
lymphadenotomy
an incision into a lymph node
lymph node dissection
the removal of possible cancer-carrying lymph nodes for pathological examination
splenectomy
the removal of the spleen
thymectomy
the removal of the thymus gland
autologous blood
blood donated by, and stored for, a patient for future personal use
homologous blood
blood voluntarily donated by any person for transfusion to a compatible recipient
blood component therapy
the transfusion of specific blood components such as packed red blood cells, platelets, and plasma
crossmatching
a method of matching a donor’s blood to the recipient by mixing a sample in a test tube to determine compatibility
immunotherapy
the use of biological agents to prevent or treat disease by stimulating the body’s own defense mechanisms
plasmapheresis
the removal of plasma from the body with separation and extraction of specific elements, followed by reinfusion
anticoagulant
a drug that prevents clotting of the blood
hemostatic
a drug that stops the flow of blood within the vessels
vasoconstrictor
a drug that causes narrowing of blood vessels, decreasing blood flow
vasodilator
a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels, increasing blood flow