Lymphatic and Immune Systems
Learning Objectives
- Identify the anatomy and describe the main functions of lymphatic and immune systems
- Identify and describe the organization of the lymphatic system
- Analyze, translate, and define medical terms and common abbreviations of the lymphatic and immune systems
- Practice the spelling and pronunciation of lymphatic and immune system medical terminology medical terms of the lymphatic and immune systems
- Identify the medical specialties associated with lymphatic and immune systems and explore common diseases, disorders, diagnostic tests and procedures
Key Word Components
Identify meanings of key word components of the lymphatic and immune systems:
Prefixes
- a- (absence of, without)
- an- (absence of, without)
- ana- (up, upward or back, backward)
- brady- (slow)
- inter- (between)
- pan- (all)
Combining Forms
- immun/o (immune, immunity)
- lymph/o (lymph, lymph tissue)
- lymphaden/o (lymph gland, lymph node)
- myel/o (bone marrow, spinal cord)
- splen/o (spleen)
- thym/o (thymus gland)
- tox/o (poison)
Suffixes
- -ac (one affected with)
- -apheresis (withdrawal or removal)
- -cyte (cell)
- -ectomy (excision, cut out)
- -itis (inflammation)
- -logist (specialist, physician who studies and treats)
- -logy (study of)
- -megaly (enlarged, enlargement)
- -oid (resembling)
- -oma (tumor, swelling)
- -osis (abnormal condition)
- -pathy (disease)
- -penia (decrease, deficiency)
- -poiesis (formation, production)
- -rrhaphy (suturing)
Lymphatic and Immune Systems Words
Lymphatic System Medical Terms (Text Version)
Practice the following lymphatic system words by breaking into word parts and pronouncing.
- autoimmune disease (aut/o/immun/e disease)
- A disease caused by the inability for the body to distinguish its own (self) cells from foreign substances, producing antibodies that attacks its own tissues
- immune (immun/e)
- Resistant to specific pathogens
- immunodeficiency (immun/o/deficiency)
- deficient immune response cause by the immune system dysfunction
- Immunologist (Immun/o/logist)
- specialist who studies and treats immune system disorders
- immunology (immun/o/logy)
- study of disorders of the immune system
- phagocytosis (phag/o/cyt/osis)
- Process where some white blood cells engulf invading microorganisms
Activity source: “Lymphatic System Medical Terms” by Kimberlee Carter, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. / Text version added.
Pronouncing and Defining Lymphatic and Immune Systems Medical Terms
Lymphatic System Medical Terms Not Easily Broken Down (Text Version)
Practice the following lymphatic system words by breaking into word parts and pronouncing.
- allergen
- Substance capable of producing an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction
- Allergist
- Specialist who studies and treats allergies
- allergy
- inflammatory response due to a hypersensitivity to a substance
- acute inflammation
- Inflammation occurring for a limited time period, rapidly developing
- afferent lymphatic vessels
- vessels that lead into a lymph node
- antibody
- antigen-specific protein secreted by plasma cells, immunoglobulin
- antigen
- molecule recognized by the receptors of b and t lymphocytes
- chronic inflammation
- Inflammation occurring for long periods of time
- chyle
- lipid-rich lymph inside the lymphatic capillaries of the small intestine
- efferent lymphatic vessels
- vessels that lead out of a lymph node
- erythroblastosis fetalis
- Also called HDN (hemolytic disease of newborn) disease of RH-positive newborns in RH-negative mothers with multiple RH-positive children. Resulting from the action of maternal antibodies against fetal blood.
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
- In bone marrow transplants, occurs when the transplanted cells mount an immune response against the recipient
- immunological memory
- ability of the adaptive immune response to mount a stronger and faster immune response upon re-exposure to a pathogen
- innate immune response
- rapid but relatively non-specific immune response
- lymph
- fluid contained within the lymphatic system
- lymph node
- one of the bean-shaped organs found associated with the lymphatic vessels
- Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID)
- Genetic mutation that affects both t cell and b cell arms of the immune response
- Spleen
- Secondary lymphoid organ that filters pathogens from the blood and remove degenerating or damage blood cells
- Thymus
- Primary lymphoid organ, where t lymphocytes proliferate and mature
- Tonsils
- Lymphoid nodules associated with the nasopharynx
- vaccine
- An agent administered by injection, orally or nasal spray that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.
- Apoptosis
- Programmed Cell Death
- Bone Marrow
- tissue found inside bones, the site of all blood cell differentiation and maturation of b lymphocytes
- Immunity
- Post infection, memory cells remain in the body providing an immune response to the same pathogen. This protects us from getting sick by the same pathogen
- Histamine
- Vasoactive mediator in granules of mast cells
Primary cause of allergies and anaphylactic shock
- Vasoactive mediator in granules of mast cells
- Inflammation
- Immune response characterized by heat, redness, pain, and swelling
- Interstitial
- Between cells of the tissues
- Interstitial Space
- Spaces between individual cells in the tissues
- Passive Immunity
- Transfer of immunity (usually by injection of antibodies) to a pathogen by an individual who lacks immunity.
Activity source: Endocrine System Medical Terms by Kimberlee Carter, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. / Converted to Text.
Pronouncing and Defining Commonly Abbreviated Lymphatic and Immune Systems Terms
Practice pronouncing and defining these commonly abbreviated lymphatic and immune systems terms:
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
- CBC and DIff (complete blood count and differential)
- CD4+ Cell (helper T cell)
- CD8+ Cell (cytotoxic T cell)
- CMV (cytomegalovirus- causes opportunistic AIDS-related infection)
- Crypto (Cryptococcus- causes opportunistic AIDS-related infection)
- ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay – test to detect anti-HIV antibodies)
- G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor – cytokine that promotes neutrophil production)
- GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor – cytokine secreted by macrophages to promote growth of myeloid progenitor cells and their differentiation to granulocytes)
- GVHD (Graft-versus-host Disease)
- HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy – use of combinations of drugs that are effective against AIDS)
- Hct (hematocrit)
- HDN (hemolytic disease of the newborn)
- Hgb (hemoglobin)
- Histo (histoplasmosis-fungal infection seen in AIDS patients)
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- HSV (herpes simplex virus)
- Iga, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM (immunoglobulins)
- IL1 to IL38 (interleukins)
- IV (Intravenous)
- KS (Kaposi sarcoma)
- MAI (Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) complex – group of pathogens that cause lung and systemic disease in immunocompromised patients)
- MoAb (monoclonal antibody)
- NHL (non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
- PCP (Pneumocystis pneumonia-opportunistic AIDS-related infection)
- PI (protease inhibitor)
- SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency)
- SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography)
- Treg (regulatory T cell (suppressor T cell)
- Toxo (toxoplasmosis- parasitic infection associated with AIDS)
- WBC (White Blood Cell)
Sorting Terms
Sort the terms from the word lists above into the following categories:
- Disease and Disorder (terms describing any deviation from normal structure and function)
- Diagnostic (terms related to process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms)
- Therapeutic (terms related to treatment or curing of diseases)
- Anatomic (terms related to body structure)
Lymphatic and Immune Systems Structures
Label the following lymphatic system anatomy:
Lymphatic System Anatomy (Text Version)
Label the diagram with correct words listed below:
- Adenoid
- Lymph nodes
- Tonsil
- Thymus
- Bone marrow
- Spleen
- Right lymphatic duct, entering vein
- Lymph vessel
Lymphatic System Anatomy Diagram (Text Version)
The diagram shows a female human body standing upright, and the entire lymphatic system is shown and labeled (clockwise from top): The _______[Blank 1] is a small gland located in the centre of the chest and it is responsible for supporting the immune function by producing T-cells a type of white blood cell which fights infections and diseases. A collection of oval shaped structures known as _______[Blank 2] serve as filtration units. The _____[Blank 3] is an organ located under the left part of the diaphragm and is responsible for blood filtration. Thin-walled tube known as a ______[Blank 4] carry lymph tissue throughout the body. The ______[Blank 5] is a primary site for T-cell activity in the lymphatic system. The ___________[Blank 6] receives lymph fluid from the right side of the head, neck, and thorax, as it drains the venous system. Located at the back of the throat is a fleshy structure known as the ________[Blank 7] and serves as the first line of defence against inhaled harmful substances. Located in the nasopharyngeal region is the _________[Blank 8] which also filter and trap harmful substances from entering the body. The right panel shows magnified images of the thymus and the lymph node. Labels read (clockwise from top): tissue cell, interstitial fluid, lymphatic capillary, blood capillary, lymphatic vessel. Label of lymph node reads masses of lymphocytes and macrophages.
Check your answers [1]
Activity source: Lymphatic System Anatomy by Gisele Tuzon, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation, illustration from Anatomy and Physiology (OpenStax), licensed under CC BY 4.0./ Text version added.
Medical Terms in Context
Place the following medical terms in context to complete the scenario below:
Lymphatic System – Medical Report (Text version)
Fill in the following medical reporting using the words listed below:
- itchy
- runny
- allergies
- dander
- medications
- distress
- heart
- drainage
- Dyspnea
- rhinitis
- iron
PATIENT NAME: Sally WESSON
AGE: 43
SEX: Female
DOB: September 26
DATE OF ASSESSMENT: March 20
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN: Trevor Sharpe, MD
CHIEF COMPLAINT: Allergies.
HISTORY: A 43-year-old Asian female states being very tired and irritable. She had presented watery and __________[Blank 1] eyes, itchy throat, sneezing, ___________[Blank 2] and stuffy nose. She has family history of __________[Blank 3]. She always struggled with many different allergies: dust, pollen, cat and dog __________[Blank 4]. She had tried different types of over-the-counter allergy ___________[Blank 5], but they didn’t help to alleviate the symptoms. She is currently taking Reactine 5 mg daily which does not relieve all of her symptoms.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: GENERAL: Patient is pale and in moderate ________[Blank 6]. VITAL SIGNS: Weight 160 pounds, B/P 120/80, ________[Blank 7] rate 90 beats per minute, respiratory rate 18 per minute, temperature 98.6 F. HEENT: EYES: Red, watery, itching, burning and swelling. EARS: Normal. NOSE: Mouth breathing, sneezing, runny and itchy nose, post-nasal _________[Blank 8], nasal congestion. THROAT: Itchy and swollen. CHEST: __________[Blank 9] and wheezing.
MEDICATIONS
- Reactine 5 mg ________[Blank 10].
- Escitalopram 20 mg q.d.
- Lorazepam 0.5 mg p.r.n. nightly at bedtime.
- Fenofibrate 145 mg q.h.s.
ASSESSMENT
- Patient has severe seasonal allergic ___________[Blank 11].
- Possible anemia.
PLAN
- Recommended Reactive 10 mg q.d.
- Referred to an allergist to provide patient more options for allergy treatments.
- Ordered a blood work to check her ________[Blank 12] and cholesterol levels.
- Follow up in 4 days to review her blood work results.
_________________________________
Trevor Sharpe, MD
Check your answers:[2]
Activity source: “Lymphatic System – Medical Report” by Sheila Bellefeuille & Heather Scudder, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. /Text version added.
Medical Terms in Context
Place the following medical terms in context to complete the scenario below:
Lymphatic System – Medical Report (Text version)
Fill in the following medical report using the words listed below:
- stones
- fatigued
- fever
- tonsillitis
- temperature
- cervical
- dysphagia
- erythema
- crypts
- tonsillolith
- pseudomembranes
- tonsillectomy
- gargles
PATIENT NAME: Celine CAMERON
AGE: 16
SEX: Female
DOB: March 25
DATE OF ASSESSMENT: August 4
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN: Grant Talbot, MD, Pediatrics
HISTORY: This is a 16-year-old female today with complaints of throat pain. She has been struggling with inflamed tonsils for the last 2 weeks. The patient claims that tonsil ________[Blank 1] are forming and that a white film has appeared over their tonsils. She has been feeling very _________[Blank 2], has developed a mild ________[Blank 3] and occasionally feel nauseous.
The client has a family history of _________[Blank 4] resulting in tonsillectomy. She mentioned that her grandmother experienced recurrent tonsillitis around the same age. The condition of tonsillitis has occurred on 2 other occasions in the past 5 months.
PHYSICAL AND EXAMINATION: Ms. Cameron is in no acute distress. She appears fatigued. VITAL SIGNS: Blood Pressure 132/83, __________[Blank 5] is slightly elevated at 99.6, pulse 67. She is in generally in good condition. Throat palpation was performed. There is significant enlargement of the __________[Blank 6] lymph nodes. She appears to be experiencing ________[Blank 7]. Throat was examined and revealed swelling, ________[Blank 8] and tonsillar ________[Blank 9] visible. A ________[Blank 10] was seen to be forming within one of the crypts. Celine’s claims of ________[Blank 11] were also confirmed. She denies any symptoms such as a nasal discharge, cough, or abdominal pain. Throat was swabbed.
ASSESSMENT: Ms. Cameron appears to be experiencing recurrent tonsillitis correlated to exaggerated tonsillar crypts. Possible ___________[Blank 12] may be required.
PLAN
- Patient was given a referral to an ENT specialist and may require tonsillectomy.
- The patient was instructed to follow a diet of soft, smooth foods and soothing liquids.
- It was suggested that the patient use saltwater ________[Blank 13] in the mornings and before bed.
- A prescription of Amoxicillin 400 mg p.o. p.c.
___________________________________
Grant Talbot, MD, Pediatrics
Check your answers: [3]
Activity source: “Lymphatic System – Medical Report” by Sheila Bellefeuille and Healther Scudder, licensed under CC BY- 4.0 from “Lymphatic and Immune Systems” In Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. / Converted to Text.
Medical Terms in Context
Place the following medical terms in context to complete the scenario below:
Lymphatic System – Medical Report (Text version)
Fill in the following medical report using the words listed below:
- dysphagia
- prescribed
- lymph
- enlarged
- ibuprofen
- erythromycin
- tonsillectomy
- surgery
PATIENT NAME: Jason MACDONALD
AGE: 7
SEX: Male
DOB: August 19
DATE OF ASSESSMENT: November 15
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN: Grant Talbot, MD, Pediatrics
DIAGNOSIS: Tonsillitis
HISTORY: This 7-year-old white male has been seen by me on several occasions over the last two years. He has complained of pharyngitis, ________[Blank 1], and fever. I have ___________[Blank 2] erythromycin in the past.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: When I examined Jason today, he once again had the same complaints as in the past. I also noticed that the ________[Blank 3] nodes in his neck were __________[Blank 4] and tender. He had a temperature of 39 degrees.
TREATMENT: I gave Jason _________[Blank 5] for his fever and prescribed _________[Blank 6] again.
PLAN: It is my recommendation that Jason undergo a _________[Blank 7]. Jason’s parents are in agreement. I will make the arrangements for Jason’s ___________[Blank 8].
_________________________
Grant Talbot, MD, Pediatrics
Check your answers: [4]
Activity source: “Lymphatic System – Medical Report” by Heather Scudder, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. /Text version added.
Test Your Knowledge
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below:
Lymphatic and Immune Systems Glossary Reinforcement Activity (Text version)
- Vasoactive mediator in granules of mast cells and is the primary cause of allergies and anaphylactic shock is called ______[Blank 1].
- Histamine
- Mast cell
- Cisterna chyli
- Large duct that drains lymph from the lower limbs, left thorax, left upper limb, and the left side of the head is referred to as ______[Blank 2].
- Thoracic duct
- Lymph
- Plasma cell
- ______[Blank 3] is the primary lymphoid organ; where t lymphocytes proliferate and mature.
- Lymphatic capillaries
- Thymus
- Antigen
- Tissue found inside bones; the site of all blood cell differentiation and maturation of b lymphocytes are called ______[Blank 4].
- Neutrophil
- Interferons
- Bone marrow
- Ability of the adaptive immune response to mount a stronger and faster immune response upon re-exposure to a pathogen is called ______[Blank 5].
- Immunological memory
- Chemokine
- Barrier defenses
Check your answers: [5]
Activity source: Lymphatic and Immune Systems Glossary Reinforcement Activity by Gisele Tuzon, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. / Text version added.
Downloadable Worksheets
View or download & print the PDF or Word format worksheet below:
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11. Lymphatic and Immune – Definitions [New Tab]
Attribution
Except where otherwise noted, this book is adapted from Medical Terminology by Grimm et al. (2022), Nicolet College, CC BY 4.0 International. / A derivative of Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Carter & Rutherford (2020), and Anatomy and Physiology by Betts, et al., CC BY 4.0, which can be accessed for free at OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology.
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Check your answers: Lymphatic System Anatomy Diagram (Text Version)
The diagram shows a female human body standing upright, and the entire lymphatic system is shown and labeled (clockwise from top): The thymus is a small gland located in the centre of the chest and it is responsible for supporting the immune function by producing T-cells a type of white blood cell which fights infections and diseases. A collection of oval shaped structures known as lymph nodes serve as filtration units. The spleen is an organ located under the left part of the diaphragm and is responsible for blood filtration. Thin-walled tube known as a lymph vessel carry lymph tissue throughout the body. The bone marrow is a primary site for T-cell activity in the lymphatic system. The right lymphatic duct entering vein receives lymph fluid from the right side of the head, neck, and thorax, as it drains the venous system. Located at the back of the throat is a fleshy structure known as the tonsil and serves as the first line of defence against inhaled harmful substances. Located in the nasopharyngeal region is the adenoids which also filter and trap harmful substances from entering the body. The right panel shows magnified images of the thymus and the lymph node. Labels read (clockwise from top): tissue cell, interstitial fluid, lymphatic capillary, blood capillary, lymphatic vessel. Label of lymph node reads masses of lymphocytes and macrophages. - 1. itchy, 2. runny, 3. allergies, 4. dander, 5. medication, 6. distress, 7. heart 8. drainage, 9.Dyspnea, 10. daily, 11.rhinitis, 12. iron ↵
- 1. stones, 2.fatigue, 3.fever 4. tonsillitis, 5. temperature, 6. cervical, 7. dysphagia, 8. erthema, 9. crypts, 10. tonsillolith, 11. pseudomembranes, 12. tonsillectomy, 13. gargles ↵
- 1. dysphagia, 2. prescribed, 3. lymph, 4. enlarged, 5. ibuprofen, 6. erythromycin, 7. tonsillectomy, 8. surgery ↵
- 1. Histamine 2. Thoracic duct, 3. Thymus, 4. Bone marrow, 5. Immunological memory. ↵