immune system

noun, Anatomy
1.
a diffuse, complex network of interacting cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris: the system includes the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and lymph tissue, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies, and lymphokines.
Origin
1960-65
Examples from the web for immune system
  • Examines the relationship among the immune system, the brain, and prenatal and later development.
  • The immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens.
  • Transplant rejection is a process in which a transplant recipient's immune system attacks the transplanted organ or tissue.
  • Patients who are on corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system are also prone to infection.
  • In general, psoriasis may be severe in people who have a weakened immune system.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks joints and other tissues.
  • It is usually kept in check by your immune system and other types of germs that also normally live in your mouth.
  • The immune system helps protect the body against harmful substances.
  • The infection may be more severe and last longer in people who have a condition that weakens the immune system.
  • The immune system helps your body fight off infection.
immune system in Medicine

immune system n.
The integrated body system of organs, tissues, cells, and cell products that differentiates self from nonself and neutralizes potentially pathogenic organisms or substances.

immune system in Science
immune system
The body system in humans and other animals that protects the organism by distinguishing foreign tissue and neutralizing potentially pathogenic organisms or substances. The immune system includes organs such as the skin and mucous membranes, which provide an external barrier to infection, cells involved in the immune response, such as lymphocytes, and cell products such as lymphokines. See also autoimmune disease, immune response.

immune system in Culture

immune system definition


The system in the body that works to ward off infection and disease. Central to this system are the white blood cells. Some white blood cells produce antibodies in response to specific antigens that may invade the body; others function as scavengers to fight infection by destroying bacteria and removing dead cells.