| A | B |
|---|
| Agglutination | Process of clumping (of recipient's blood cells) when incompatible bloods are mixed |
| Albumin | Protein found in blood; maintains the proper amount of water in the blood |
| Anisocytosis | Abnormal condition of unequal size of cells (erythrocytes) |
| Antibodies | Protein substances whose formation by lymphocytes is stimulated by the presence of antigens in the body |
| Anticoagulant | A substance that works against coagulation (blood clotting) |
| Antigens | Foreign materials that cause the production of an antibody |
| Basophils | Granulocyte leukocytes that readily stain blue with basic stain; have a relatively pale-staining nucleus that is partially constricted into two lobes, and cytoplasm containing coarse bluish black granules of variable size; play a role in inflammation |
| Bilirubin | Dark pigment produced from hemoglobin when red blood cells are destroyed |
| Coagulation | The process of blood clotting |
| Corpuscle | Little body; refers to a blood cell |
| Cytology | Study of cells |
| Differentiation | Change in structure and function of a cell as it matures; specialization |
| Electrophoresis | Separation of proteins in a solution by using an electric current (used to separate fractions of serum, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid) |
| Eosinophils | Granulocyte leukocytes with dark-staining granules that have an affinity for acid dyes; granules turn red in the presence of dye. Active and elevated in allergic conditions such as asthma |
| Eosinophilia | Increase in numbers of eosinophils |
| Erythroblast | Immature red blood cell |
| Erythrocyte | Red blood cell |
| Erythrocytopenia | Deficiency of red blood cells |
| Erythropoiesis | Formation of erythrocytes |
| Erythropoietin | A hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate bone marrow to make red blood cells |
| Fibrin | Protein threads that form the basis of a blood clot |
| Fibrinogen | Plasma protein that is converted to fibrin in the clotting process |
| Globin | The protein part of hemoglobin |
| Globulin | Plasma protein; separates into alpha, beta, and gamma types by electrophoresis. Any member of a class of proteins, most of which are insoluble in water but soluble in saline solutions |
| Gamma Globulins | Plasma protein; contains antibodies to fight infection. Serum globulins having the least rapid electrophoretic migration--a synonym of immunoglobulins |
| Granulocyte | White blood cells with large, dark-stained granules in its cytoplasm. White blood cells with granules: eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils |
| Granulocytopenia | Deficiency of granulocytes (white blood cells) |
| Hemoglobin | Blood protein in erythrocytes; enables the cells to carry oxygen |
| Hemoglobinopathy | Disease of abnormal hemoglobin (sickle-cell anemia, thalassemia) |
| Hemolysis | Destruction of blood cells |
| Heme | Iron-containing nonprotein portion of the hemoglobin molecule |
| Hemostasis | Stoppage of the flow of blood |
| Heparin | An anticoagulant produced by liver cells and found in blood and tissues |
| Hypochromia | Deficiency of color (reduction of hemoglobin in red blood cells) |
| Immunoglobulin | A protein (globulin) with antibody activity. Examples are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, IgD |
| Leukapheresis | Removal of white blood cells from the rest of the blood by centrifugation |
| Leukocytopenia | Deficiency of white blood cells |
| Leukocyte | White blood cell |
| Lymphocyte | White blood cell found in lymph tissue; produces antibodies |
| Immune Reaction | Reaction between an antigen and an antibody in which the antigen is neutralized or inactivated by the antibody |
| Microcytosis | Abnormal condition (slight increase in numbers) of microcytes (red blood cells that are smaller than normal) |
| Macrocytosis | Abnormal condition (slight increase in numbers) of macrocytes (red blood cells that are larger than normal) |
| Macrophages | Large phagocytes (in blood and tissues) that eat (engulfs) other cells. Destroy worn-out red blood cells and engulf foreign material in body tissues. They are monocytes that have left the blood and entered tissue spaces |
| Megakaryocyte | Cell with multiple large nuclei; immature platelet |
| Monoblast | Immature white blood cell (monocyte) |
| Monocyte | White blood cell (agranulocyte) formed in lymph tissue; a phagocyte with one large nucleus. Monocytes become macrophages as they leave the blood and enter body tissues |
| Mononuclear | Pertaining to a white blood cell with one large nucleus (monocyte or lymphocyte) |
| Morphology | Study of shape or form (of blood cells) |
| Myeloblast | Bone marrow cell that develops into a myelocyte and then a leukocyte |
| Myeloid | Derived from bone marrow cells |
| Myelopoiesis | Formation of bone marrow |
| Neutrophils | Granulocyte leukocytes formed in bone marrow. Have a nucleus with 3 to 5 lobes in which the granules stain blue and red (purple) with a neutral stain. Disease fighting cells (called phagocytes). Also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes. About 60% of leukocytes are neutrophils |
| Neutropenia | Deficiency in neutrophils |
| Pancytopenia | Deficiency of all (blood) cells |
| Phagocyte | Cell that ingests other cells or micro-organisms |
| Plasma | Liquid portion of blood; contains water, proteins, salts, nutrients, hormones, and vitamins |
| Plasmapheresis | Removal of plasma from the rest of the blood by mechanical means (centrifuge) |
| Poikilocytosis | Irregularity in the shape of red blood cells |
| Polymorphonuclear | Pertaining to a white blood cell with a multilobed nucleus (neutrophil) |
| Prothrombin | Plasma protein; converted to thrombin in the clotting process |
| Reticulocyte | Developing red blood cell with a network of granules in its cytoplasm |
| Serum | Plasma minus clotting proteins and cells |
| Sideropenia | Deficiency in iron in serum |
| Spherocytosis | Condition (abnormal) in which erythrocytes assume a spheroid (rounded) shape |
| Stem Cell | A cell in bone marrow that gives rise to different types of blood cells |
| Rh Factor | An antigen normally found on red blood cells of Rh-positive individuals. Developed from early experiments with Rhesus monkeys |
| Thrombin | An enzyme that helps to convert fibrinogen to fibrin during coagulation |
| Thrombocyte | Platelet; clotting cell; smallest formed element in the blood |
| Thrombolytic Therapy | Treatment that destroys blood cells |
| Thromboplastin | A clotting factor that, in combination with calcium, promotes the formation of the fibrin clot |
| Thrombosis | Abnormal condition of clotting |
| Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia | Immature lymphocytes predominate. This is most often seen in children and adolescents. |
| Acute Myelogenous Leukemia | Immature granulocytes predominate |
| Antiglobulin Test | Demonstrates whether the patient's erythrocytes are coated with antibodies and is useful in determining the presence of antibodies in infants (Coombs' test) |
| Apheresis | Separation of blood into its parts |
| Anemia | Deficiency in erythrocytes or hemoglobin. Most common in iron deficiency anemia |
| Thrombocytopenia | Deficiency of clotting cells |
| Aplastic Anemia | Failure of blood cell production due to aplasia (absence of development, formation) of bone marrow cells |
| Autologous Tranfusion | Collection and later reinfusion of a patient's own blood or blood components |
| Bleeding Time | Time it takes for a small puncture to stop bleeding (normal is 8 minutes or less). Bleeding time is prolonged with use of aspirin |
| Blood Transfusion | Whole blood cells are taken from a donor; after proper testing, the cells are infused into a patient |
| Bone Marrow Biopsy | Needle is introduced into the bone marrow cavity, and a small amount of marrow is aspirated |
| Bone Marrow Transplant | Bone marrow cells from a donor whose tissue and blood cells closely match those of the recipient are infused into a patient with leukemia or aplastic anemia |
| Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia | Abnormal number of relatively mature lymphocytes predominate in the marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen |
| Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia | Both mature and immature granulocytes are present in the marrow and bloodstream |
| Coagulation Time | Time required for venous blood to clot in a test tube (normal time is less than 15 minutes) |
| CBC | Complete blood count. Includes: red blood cell count, white blood cell count (with differential), platelet count, hemoglobin test, hematocrit and red cell indices (MCH, MCV, MCHC) |
| Dyscrasia | Disease; a morbid conditon, usually referring to an imbalance of component elements |
| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate | Speed at which erythrocytes settle out of plasma |
| Granulocytosis | Abnormal increase in granulocytes in the blood |
| Hematocrit (Hct) | Separation of blood; percentage of erythrocytes in a volume of blood |
| Hematopoiesis | Formation of blood cells |
| Hemochromatosis | Exessive deposits of iron throughout the body. Usually in men over 40 years of age. |
| Hemoglobin Test (Hb) | Total amount of hemoglobin in a sample of peripheral blood |
| Hemolytic Anemia | Reduction in red cells due to excessive destruction |
| Hemophilia | Excessive bleeding caused by a congenital lack of one of the protein substances (factor VIII) necessary for blood clotting |
| Mononucleosis | An infectious disease evidenced by increased numbers of lymphocytes and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Symptoms: lymphadenitis, fever, fatigue, asthenia (weakness), pharyngitis. Transmitted by direct oral contact (salivary exchange during kissing) and affects primarily young adults. Caused by Epstein-Barr virus |
| Myltiple Myeloma | Malignant tumor of bone marrow |
| Palliative | Relieving but not curing |
| Neutrophilia | Increase in numbers of neutrophils |
| Leukemia | Abnormal condition of white blood cells (increase in numbers of malignant cells) |
| Partial Thromboplastin Time | Measures the presence of factors that act at early points in the coagulation pathway |
| Pernicious Anemia | Lack of mature erythrocytes owing to inability to absorb vitamin B12 into the body. Pernicious refers to destructive or hurtful |
| Polycythemia Vera | General increase in red blood cells (erythremia) |
| Plateletpheresis | Removal of platelets from the rest of the body by centrifugation |
| Prothrombin Time | Test of the ability of blood to clot |
| Purpura | Multiple pinpoint hemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin |
| Relapse | Reappearance of condition |
| Remission | Disappearance of signs of disease |
| Megaloblasts | Large, immature, nucleated, and poorly functioning cells |
| Hemocytoblasts | Immature stem cells |
| Sickle Cell Anemia | Heriditary condition characterized by abnormal shape of erythrocytes and by hemolysis. Prevalent in black persons of African or African-American ancestry and appears with different degrees of severity |
| Thalassemia | Inherited defect in the ability to produce hemoglobin, usually seen in persons of Mediterranean background. Most common form is Cooley's anemia |
| BMT | Bone Marrow Transplant |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count |
| diff. | Differential count (white cells) |
| ESR | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
| Hgb | Hemoglobin |
| RB | Red Blood Cell Count |
| sed rate | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
| WBC | White Blood Cell Count |
| eos | Eosinophils |
