Blood disorders terms

Anemia

Anemia

A deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen transport in the body.

Hypoxemia

Below-normal level of oxygen in the blood, specifically in the arteries.

Hypoxia

Deficiency of oxygen in the tissues.

MCV

Measure of the average volume of a red blood cell.

MCHC

Measure of the concentration of hemoglobin in packed red blood cells.

Microcytic

Pertaining to smaller than normal red blood cells.

Normocytic

Pertaining to normal-sized red blood cells.

Macrocytic

Pertaining to larger than normal red blood cells.

Hypochromic

Pertaining to red blood cells with less color due to low hemoglobin.

Normochromic

Pertaining to red blood cells with a normal color.

Polycythemia

Increased number of red blood cells in the bloodstream.

Leukocytosis

Increase in the number of white blood cells in response to infection.

Leucopenia

Decrease in the number of white blood cells, increasing infection susceptibility.

Neutrophilia

Increase in the number of neutrophils in response to infection or inflammation.

Neutropenia

Decrease in the number of neutrophils, raising infection risk.

Agranulocytosis

Severe reduction in granulocytes, leading to increased infection vulnerability.

Lymphocytosis

Increase in the number of lymphocytes, often in infections and certain leukemias.

Lymphocytopenia

Decrease in the number of lymphocytes, impairing immune response.

Heterophile antibodies

Antibodies produced in response to infections like Epstein-Barr virus, cross-reacting with other antigens.

Leukemia

Cancer affecting blood and bone marrow, characterized by overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

Thrombocytopenia

Abnormally low number of platelets in the blood, leading to increased bleeding and bruising.

Ecchymoses

Larger, bluish-purple skin patches caused by bleeding underneath the skin, commonly known as bruises.

Purpura

Red or purple discolored spots on the skin that do not blanch when pressed, caused by bleeding underneath the skin.

Petechiae

Small, red or purple spots on the skin caused by minor bleeding from broken capillary blood vessels.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

A condition characterized by widespread activation of the clotting cascade leading to the formation of blood clots in the small blood vessels throughout the body, causing multiple organ damage and severe bleeding.