Hematology: Blood Components, Lymphatics, and Anemias (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering blood components, lymphatic system, coagulation basics, and common anemias as described in the notes.

Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs; produced in red bone marrow.

Leukocytes (WBCs)

White blood cells that defend against infections and participate in immune responses.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Cell fragments essential for blood clotting and hemostasis.

Plasma

Liquid component of blood that transports cells, nutrients, waste, and proteins throughout the body.

Erythropoiesis

Production of red blood cells, regulated by factors such as erythropoietin.

Red bone marrow

Site of RBC production; in adults primarily in the humerus, femur, and iliac crest.

RBC lifespan

Approximately 120 days in circulation before destruction and replacement.

Removal of old RBCs

Old red blood cells are removed from circulation by the liver and spleen.

Iron in hemoglobin

Iron binds oxygen within hemoglobin, enabling oxygen transport in the bloodstream.

Vitamin B12 in RBC production

Vital for RBC production and iron absorption; deficiency can impair hematopoiesis.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

Protein in RBCs that carries oxygen from the lungs and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Iron in hemoglobin composition

Iron is a major component of hemoglobin and essential for normal oxygen transport.

Normal Hb (Male)

14–18 g/dL.

Normal Hb (Female)

12–16 g/dL.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Kidney-produced hormone that stimulates bone marrow to make red blood cells.

COPD and EPO

Chronic hypoxia from COPD stimulates EPO production, increasing RBC production.

Dehydration effect on Hb

Reduced plasma volume concentrates blood, raising apparent Hb; may give a false high reading.

Anemia and Hb

Anemia is characterized by decreased hemoglobin, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity.

Kidney disease and EPO

Damaged kidneys produce less EPO, leading to lower Hb levels.

Neutrophils

First responders to bacterial infection and inflammation.

Eosinophils

Attack parasites and participate in allergic reactions.

Basophils

Promote nonspecific inflammatory responses and allergies; release histamine.

Monocytes

Engulf foreign antigens and cellular debris during immune responses.

Lymphocytes

Adaptive immune cells (B and T cells); provide specific, long-term defense; can be elevated in leukemia.

Elevated WBCs

Often indicate infection or inflammation; can suggest leukemia in some contexts.

Decreased WBCs

May indicate immunosuppression or autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, RA, celiac disease).

Hemostasis

Process that arrests bleeding and prevents hemorrhage.

Vessel spasm

Vascular constriction at injury to reduce blood flow.

Platelet plug formation

Platelets adhere and aggregate to form a temporary plug at the injury site.

Clot formation

Coagulation cascade leads to fibrin clot formation to stabilize the plug.

Blood types

A, B, AB, and O blood groups based on surface antigens.

O negative universal donor

O− blood can be donated to any ABO/Rh type.

AB positive universal recipient

AB+ blood can receive from any ABO/Rh type.

Lymphatic system components

Lymphatic vessels/capillaries, lymph fluid, lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus.

Lymphatic system functions

Maintains fluid balance, defends against infection, and transports fats.

Lymph

Fluid produced by the lymphatic system that circulates and returns to the bloodstream.

Lymphatic capillaries

Absorb interstitial fluid and begin lymph transport.

Lymphatic vessels

Carry lymph from capillaries to the bloodstream.

Lymph fluid

Fluid produced by the lymphatic system.

Lymph nodes

Trap cancer cells and filter lymph; nodes may swell when fighting infection.

Tonsils

Trap and destroy pathogens entering via mouth and nose.

Spleen

Filters blood and removes old or damaged red blood cells.

Thymus

Organ where lymphocytes mature (T cells) before entering circulation.

Diagnostic hematology tests

Bone marrow aspirations, CBCs, peripheral blood smears, iron studies, MCV, MCH, PT, aPTT, INR, D-dimer.

Peripheral blood smear

Microscopic slide examination of blood to assess cell size/shape; used to identify abnormalities like sickled RBCs.

MCV (mean corpuscular volume)

Indicates RBC size; high suggests megaloblastic anemia, low suggests iron deficiency anemia.

MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)

Average Hb content per RBC; used with MCV to classify anemia.

PT (prothrombin time)

Measures extrinsic clotting pathway; normal ~11–12.5 seconds; prolonged with liver disease, warfarin, DIC.

aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)

Measures intrinsic clotting pathway; normal ~30–40 seconds; prolonged with vitamin K deficiency, liver disease, or heparin.

INR (international normalized ratio)

Standardizes PT across labs; normal ~0.8–1.1; 2–3 is typical for warfarin therapy.

D-dimer

Laboratory test used to rule out DVT/PE; normally <0.4 mcg/mL; often elevated postoperatively.

Anemias listed in notes

Pernicious anemia, Aplastic anemia, Iron deficiency anemia, Sickle cell anemia, and Hypovolemic anemia.

Pernicious anemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency due to lack of intrinsic factor; autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells; treated with B12 replacement; may show beefy red tongue and positive intrinsic factor antibodies.

Aplastic anemia

Bone marrow failure with pancytopenia; worsened by chemo/radiation/NSAIDs; diagnosed with labs and sometimes bone marrow biopsy.

Iron deficiency anemia

Most common anemia caused by insufficient iron; leads to reduced Hb and microcytosis.

Sickle cell anemia

Genetic disorder with HbS; RBCs sickle when oxygen is low, leading to vaso-occlusion and pain.

Hypovolemic anemia

Anemia due to significant loss of blood or fluids, with risk of hypoperfusion.

Pernicious anemia key sign

Beefy red tongue (glossitis) and macrocytosis on CBC.

Growth spurts and anemia

Growth spurts increase iron demand, contributing to iron-deficiency anemia.

Celiac disease and iron absorption

Celiac disease impairs absorption, contributing to iron deficiency anemia.

Sickle cell treatment – Hydroxyurea

Medication that reduces sickling and episodes by increasing fetal Hb production.

Urine in sickle cell

Urine may be dark due to increased bilirubin from hemolysis.

Leukemia

Group of cancers with uncontrolled production of abnormal WBCs; anemia and thrombocytopenia common.

Pancytopenia

Simultaneous reduction of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.

Leukemia treatment cautions

Avoid hard foods and NSAIDs to minimize bleeding risk and mucosal injury during therapy.

Multiple Myeloma

Malignant plasma cell neoplasm in bone marrow causing bone destruction and pancytopenia.

Hodgkin’s vs Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Hodgkin’s features Reed-Sternberg cells and painless lymphadenopathy; Non-Hodgkin’s lacks RS cells and can start anywhere.

Beefy red tongue

Characteristic finding associated with pernicious anemia due to B12 deficiency.

DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)

Hypercoagulable state with widespread clot formation followed by bleeding due to consumption of clotting factors.

Aspirations for patient education in hematology

Dietary considerations, bowel techniques, and caution with NSAIDs to manage symptoms and treatment side effects.

Hypercoagulable triggers

Sepsis, trauma, cancer, or obstetric complications can trigger widespread clotting.

Hypersplenism (implied in notes)

Enlarged spleen can sequester blood cells, contributing to cytopenias (contextual in hematology discussions).