Hematologic System Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering blood cells, types of anemias, polycythemia vera, and bleeding disorders based on the hematologic system lecture notes.

Hematologic System

The body system consisting of the blood and the sites where blood is produced, including the bone marrow and the reticuloendothelial system (RES).

Plasma

The fluid portion of blood that contains proteins (such as albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen), electrolytes, waste products, and nutrients, making up about $55\%$ of blood volume.

Serum

The fluid portion of blood derived from plasma minus the clotting factors.

Leukocyte (WBC)

A blood cell with a normal count of $4,500\text{--}11,000/\text{mm}^3$ whose primary function is to fight infection.

Neutrophil

A granulocyte essential in preventing or limiting bacterial infection via phagocytosis.

Eosinophil

A granulocyte involved in allergic reactions by neutralizing histamine and digesting foreign proteins.

Monocyte

An agranulocyte that enters tissue as a macrophage and is highly phagocytic, especially against fungus, and functions in immune surveillance.

T lymphocyte

An agranulocyte responsible for cell-mediated immunity.

Plasma Cell

The most mature form of B lymphocytes that secretes immunoglobulins (antibodies).

Erythrocyte (RBC)

A blood cell with an average lifespan of $120\,\text{days}$ that carries hemoglobin to provide oxygen to tissues.

Thrombocyte (Platelet)

A cell fragment of a megakaryocyte with a normal count of $150,000\text{--}450,000/\text{mm}^3$ and average lifespan of $10\,\text{days}$ that maintains hemostasis and provides the basis for coagulation.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

Anemia resulting when the intake of dietary iron is inadequate for hemoglobin synthesis.

Koilonychia

Brittle hair and spoon-shaped nails caused by the atrophy of epidermal cells in iron deficiency anemia.

Plummer Vinson's Syndrome

A condition characterized by atrophic glossitis, stomatitis, and dysphagia due to atrophy of the papillae of the tongue, mouth, and pharyngeal cells.

Pica

A manifestation of iron deficiency anemia characterized by craving non-food substances due to neuronal degeneration affecting cognitive functions.

Angular cheilosis

Ulceration at the corners of the mouth seen in iron deficiency anemia.

Pernicious Anemia

The most dangerous form of chronic anemia, caused by a deficiency of intrinsic factor leading to vitamin B12 malabsorption.

Schilling's test

A diagnostic procedure for vitamin B12 absorption where a patient receives a small amount of radioactive B12 orally followed by a 24-hour urine collection.

Z-tract method

An injection technique used when administering parenteral iron preparations to prevent discoloration and leakage into tissues.

Folic Acid Deficiency

An anemia that occurs if there is a deficiency in folic acid within a span of 4 months.

Aplastic Anemia

A rare disease caused by damage to marrow stem cells, damage to the marrow microenvironment, and replacement of marrow with fat, resulting in pancytopenia.

Pancytopenia

A condition characterized by a simultaneous decrease in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.

Sickle Cell Anemia

A severe hemolytic anemia caused by inheritance of the defective sickle hemoglobin gene (HbS), which crystallizes under low oxygen tension.

Sickle Crisis

The most common and painful crisis in sickle cell anemia, resulting from tissue hypoxia and necrosis due to inadequate blood flow.

Aplastic Crisis

A sickle cell crisis resulting from infection with the human parvovirus.

Sequestration Crisis

A sickle cell crisis resulting when organs pool the sickled cells.

Thalassemia

A group of hereditary anemias characterized by hypochromia, extreme microcytosis, hemolysis, and variable degrees of anemia due to defective synthesis of hemoglobin.

Alpha-thalassemia

A form of thalassemia occurring mainly in people from Asia and the Middle East, characterized by extremely microcytic erythrocytes with mild or absent anemia.

Beta-thalassemia

A form of thalassemia most prevalent in people from Mediterranean regions.

Thalassemia Major (Cooley's Anemia)

A severe form of beta-thalassemia characterized by severe anemia, marked hemolysis, and ineffective erythropoiesis.

Polycythemia Vera

A proliferative disorder of myeloid stem cells resulting in hypercellular bone marrow and elevated levels of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Erythromyalgia

A burning sensation in the fingers and toes associated with Polycythemia Vera.

Phlebotomy

The therapeutic removal of blood (initially 500 mL once or twice weekly) to reduce blood viscosity and deplete iron stores in Polycythemia Vera.

Hemophilia A

An inherited X-linked bleeding disorder caused by a genetic defect resulting in deficient or defective factor VIII.

Hemophilia B (Christmas Disease)

An inherited X-linked bleeding disorder caused by a genetic defect resulting in deficient or defective factor IX.

Hemarthrosis

Bleeding into joint spaces, which accounts for $75\%$ of all bleeding episodes in hemophilia.