| Term | Definition |
| acquired immunodeficiency syndrome | An acquired defect of T-cell immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). |
| adenitis | Inflammation of a lymph node resulting in swelling or pain. |
| adenoids | A collection of lymphoid nodules on the posterior wall and roof of the nasopharynx.. |
| adenoma | A benign epithelial tumor with a glandular structure |
| adenovirus | Virus responsible for upper respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, cystitis or GI infection. |
| AIDS | acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
| ALL | acute lymphocytic leukemia |
| allergen | Antigen-type substance that produce immediate hypersensitivity. |
| AML | acute myelogenous leukemia |
| ANA | antinuclear antibody |
| anaphylaxis | A severe immune system reaction to a previously encountered antigen. Can sometimes be fatal. |
| anti- | against |
| antibiotics | An infection fighting protein made by blood plasma cells in response to an antigen. It helps destroy bacteria, viruses and toxins. |
| antibodies | Immunoglobulin molecules produced in lymphoid tissue that attack the antigen that induced their synthesis. |
| antibody | Protein produced by B cells as primary immune defense. |
| antifungal | Substances that destroy fungi. |
| antigen | Substances that are recognized by the immune system and induce an immune reaction. |
| antigens | Substances that are recognized by the immune system and induce an immune reaction. |
| antiviral | Destroying a virus or suppressing replication. |
| ARC | AIDS-related complex |
| ATL | adult T cell leukemia |
| autoantibody | An antibody that react with self-antigens of the organism that produced them. |
| autoantigens | Endogenous tissue constituents that have the ability to interact with autoantibodies and cause an immune response. |
| autoimmune | Disorder of the immune system in which an immune response is created against the body's own tissues. |
| autoimmune disorder | Immune system attacks on healthy cells by mistake. |
| autoimmunity | Process whereby the immune system reacts against the body's own tissues. |
| bacilli | A rod-shaped bacterium. |
| bacteria | Single cell living things. One of the three domains of life. |
| CA | cancer |
| candidiasis | An infection of moist skin areas caused by yeast. Often due to a weakened immune system or heavy antibiotic use. |
| carcin/o | cancerous |
| carcinoma | Cancer that originates in skin cells or tissue lining organs. |
| cervical cancer | A neoplasm of the cervix of the uterus. |
| chemotherapy | Treatment of cancer and other diseases by means of chemical agents. |
| CLL | chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| CML | chronic myelogenous leukemia |
| CMV | cytomegalovirus |
| CSD | cat scratch disease |
| cytokines | Substances, such as interferon, interleukin, and growth factors, that are secreted by certain cells of the immune system that act as intercellular mediators. |
| cytomegalovirus | A virus that can be inactive within healthy people, but can cause severe pneumonia when immune systems are suppressed. Symptoms similar to mononucleosis. |
| dengue | An acute febrile disease transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It occurs in tropical regions and is characterized by fever, severe pain, headache and rash. |
| DPT | diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (vaccine) |
| EBV | Epstein-Barr virus |
| ELISA | enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay |
| epitope | Any site on an antigen that interact with specific antibodies. |
| GVHD | graft-versus-host disease |
| herpes | An infection caused by a herpes simplex virus. Can affect the genitals, buttocks or anal areas. Oral herpes causes cold sores on the face or mouth. |
| hiv | Human immunodeficiency virus. |
| Hodgkin's lymphoma | A type of lymphoma, a cancer of tissue in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The first sign is often an enlargement of lymph node. |
| hypersensitivity | Abnormally high response to an antigen. |
| IF | interferon |
| Ig | immunoglobulin |
| immun/o | immune, safe |
| immunity | Protection from diseases, particularly infectious diseases. |
| immunization | A process for building or augmenting resistance to an infectious disease. |
| immunoglobulins | An infection-fighting protein in the blood or secretory fluids that helps destroy bacteria, viruses and toxins. |
| immunosuppressant | Deliberate prevention or diminution of the host's immune response. |
| immunotherapy | Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. |
| interferon | A class of small protein and glycoprotein cytokines produced by T cells, fibroblasts, and other cells in response to viral infection and other biologic and synthetic stimuli. |
| interferons | Proteins that are produced by the body's cells as a defensive response to pathogens. |
| KS | Kaposi sarcoma |
| leukocyt/o | white blood cell |
| lien/o | spleen |
| LIF | leukemia inhibatory factor |
| lymph | The interstitial fluid that is in the lymphatic system. |
| lymph/o | lymph |
| lymphaden/o | lymph node |
| lymphadenitis | Inflammation of the lymph nodes. |
| lymphadenopathy | Inflammation of the lymph nodes causing enlargement. |
| lymphangi/o | lymph vessel |
| lymphangiectasis | A transient dilatation of the lymphatic vessels. |
| lymphangioma | A congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. |
| lymphangiosarcoma | A malignant neoplasm originating from the endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels. |
| lymphedema | Edema due to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes. A common complication in the arms after mastectomy. |
| lymphocele | Cystic mass containing lymph. |
| lymphocytosis | An abnormal increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood. |
| lymphoma | A cancer of the lymphatic system. |
| lymphopenia | Decrease in the number of lymphocytes of the blood. |
| macrophage | A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. It digests targeted cells and cellular debris. |
| malaria | A serious parasitic disease caused by mosquito bites. Symptoms include chills, flu-like symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice. |
| mammography | Radiographic examination of the breast. |
| metastasis | The spread of a cancer or other disease from one body part to another not directly connected with it. |
| myosarcoma | A general term for a malignant neoplasm derived from muscular tissue. |
| NK | natural killer |
| -oma | tumor, neoplasm |
| onc/o | swelling, tumor |
| osteosarcoma | A sarcoma originating in bone-forming cells, affecting the ends of long bones. |
| parasite | Invertebrate organisms that live on or in another organism. |
| -penia | deficiency |
| phag/o | eat, swallow |
| -phil | attraction |
| -phylaxis | protection |
| -plasm | formation |
| preleukemia | Conditions in which the abnormalities in the peripheral blood or bone marrow represent the early manifestations of acute leukemia, but in which the changes are not of sufficient magnitude or specificity to permit a diagnosis of acute leukemia by the usual clinical criteria. |
| rabies | Acute viral infection affecting mammals, including humans. |
| rickettsia | A genus of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria often surrounded by a protein micro capsular layer and slime layer. Transmitted to humans by arthropods. Cause Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Typhus. |
| rubella | Infectious viral disease caused by virus entering the respiratory tract and spreading to the lymphatic system. Often affecting children and nonimmune young adults. High risk of deafness in fetus. Preventable with MMR vaccine. |
| sarc/o | flesh, connective tissue |
| sarcoidosis | An disease that leads to inflammation, usually in the lungs, skin, or lymph nodes. Characterized by the formation of granulomas which contain giant cells. |
| sarcoma | A cancer of the bone, muscle, cartilage, fat, blood vessels or connective tissue. |
| -sarcoma | cancer of connective tissue |
| scirrh/o | hard, hard tumor |
| scrofula | Tuberculosis affecting the lymph nodes, particularly the neck. |
| -sepsis | decay caused by |
| spleen | An encapsulated lymphatic organ through which venous blood filters. |
| splen/o | spleen |
| splenectomy | Surgical procedure involving either partial or entire removal of the spleen. |
| splenitis | Inflammation of the spleen. |
| splenomegaly | Enlargement of the spleen. |
| staphylococci | Gram-positive bacteria. Natural populations of Staphylococcus are found on the skin and mucous membranes. |
| TAT | tetanus antitoxin |
| thymectomy | Surgical removal of the thymus gland. |
| thymocytes | Lymphocyte arising in the thymus. |
| thymoma | A neoplasm originating from thymic tissue, usually benign, and frequently encapsulated. |
| thymus | An organ that is part of the lymphatic system, in which T lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone. |
| -tic | pertaining to |
| TNF | tumor necrosis factor |
| TNM | tumor, node, metastasis |
| tonsill/o | tonsil |
| tonsillectomy | Surgical removal of a tonsil |
| tonsils | A pair of soft lymphoid tissue masses located at the rear of the throat. Part of the immune system. |
| tox/o | poison |
| toxoplasmosis | A parasitic infection by Toxoplasma gondii. Most infections are asymptomatic. |
| vacc | vaccination |
| vaccination | Administration of vaccines to stimulate the host's immune response. |
| vaccine | A suspension of killed or attenuated microorganisms administered for the prevention or treatment of infection. |
| varicella | Primary infection causes chickenpox; reactivation causes herpes zoster. |
| WBC | white blood cell; white blood count |