LEUKAEMIA -
Noun: A progressive, often fatal disease of the blood-forming organs where white blood cells and their precursors are being created and developed in the blood and bone marrow . It is accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and platelets due to the high volume of the defective white blood cells being produced, resulting in anaemia and increased susceptibility to infection and haemorrhaging . Other typical symptoms include fever, pain in the joints and bones and swelling of the lymph nodes , spleen and liver. Leukaemia is classified clinically on the basis of (a) the duration and character of the disease (acute or chronic ), and (b) the cell line involved, i.e. myeloid (also called myelocytic , myeloblastic , granulocytic or lymphoid (also called lymphatic , lymphoblastic , lymphocytic ). The incidence of the disease is growing and the increase is only partially explained by increased efficiency of detection. Treatment is primarily with chemotherapy but this may also be combined with radiotherapy (radiation treatment), removal of the spleen and bone marrow transplants . Antibiotics are commonly required.

Greek - leukós = white +

Greek - haîma = blood

LEUKOCYTE -
Noun: One of five recognised types of white blood cells. They are small, colourless cells that have a nucleus and destroy bacterial and viral infections, have immunity reactions creating antibodies , play a role in handling allergies, and clean up dead cells and foreign material in the blood.

Greek - leukós = white +

-cyte = a cell from Greek - kytos = anything hollow.

Greek - leukós = white +

Greek - penia = poverty

LOCUS -
Noun: A genetic term meaning the position of a gene on a chromosome such as the "A" locus "B" locus or "DR" locus. It's a word used in HLA tissue typing .

Latin - locus = place

LYMPH -
Noun: A nearly colourless liquid in the tissues of the body, somewhat like blood without the red corpuscles. Lymph is derived from parts of the blood which have filtered through small blood vessel walls and is conveyed back to the bloodstream by the lymphatic vessels .

Latin - lympha = clear water

LYMPH NODES (or glands) -
Noun: Any one of the bean-shaped, gland like bodies occurring along the paths of the lymphatic vessels . A lymph gland (or node) is composed of a network of connective tissue and is active as a source of lymphocytes. Lymph glands filter out bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms from lymph . These nodes also make lymphocytes. There are many lymph nodes clustered in the knees, groin, stomach area, under the arms, at the sides of the neck and around the face. They also play a role in the elimiation of toxic waste from tissues and are an integral part of the immune system. Fluid is pumped through this system via the muscles, not the heart. A sluggish lymphatic system is most often due to a lack of exercise and will drastically reduce one's immune system. When the body is fighting off an infection, the lymph glands become swollen with the additional burden of trying to clear and clean the system.

Latin - lympha = clear water

LYMPHADENOPATHY -
Noun: Any disease condition of the lymph nodes .

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - aden = gland or kernal +

Greek - páthos = disease, suffering, emotion

LYMPHATIC -
Adjective: Of, carrying, or secreting lymph such as a lymphatic system, lymphatic disease or lymphatic vessel.

Latin - lympha = clear water

LYMPHATIC VESSELS -
Noun: A network of small vessels, resembling blood vessels, by which lymph circulates throughout the body carrying food from the blood to the cells, picking up fats from the small intestines, and carrying body wastes to the blood; the lymph system.

Latin - lympha = clear water

LYMPHOBLAST -
Noun: An early developmental cell that will mature into a lymphocyte .

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - blastós = germ or sprout

LYMPHOCYTE -
Noun: One of the nearly colourless cells of the blood and lymphatic system, produced in part by the bone marrow but mostly in the lymph nodes and thymus gland . The number of lymphocytes are generally not affected in a patient with aplastic anaemia or myelodysplasia because they are bone marrow diseases. Lymphocytes have a nucleus and are chiefly responsible for immunity. They defend the body against infection by producing antibodies or toxic substances that destroy viruses and other foreign bodies. B cells and T cells are lymphocytes .

In patients who have AA or MDS , whether they have the immunosuppressive therapy or the bone marrow transplant, drugs such as ALG / ATG , Cyclosporine and Cyclophosphamide will be given to kill off the lymphocytes, particularly the T cells.

Here is a picture of 2 Lymphocytes in with some red blood cells and a few platelets.

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - kytos = anything hollow.

LYMPHOID -
Adjective: 1. Of or having to do with lymph or lymphocytes. 2. Of or having to do with the tissue of the lymph glands. 3. Something that is like the tissue of the lymph glands.

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - oeides = in the form of

LYMPHOKINES -
Noun: Lymphokines are one of the hormonelike chemical messengers used by T-cells to authorise B-cells to begin manufacturing antibodies. T-cells will also secrete lymphokines to lure more T-cells to an infection site.

Latin - lympha = clear water +

Greek - kineín = to move

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