Blood & Lymphatic System

Albumin

A plasma protein. In blood, albumin helps to maintain blood volume and blood pressure

Allergy

A hypersensitive reaction to normally harmless antigens, most of which are environmental

Anaphylaxis

An exaggerated, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered antigen

Anemia

a condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen being delivered to the cells because of a decrease in the quantity of hemoglobin or red blood cells

Anticoagulant

a drug that prevents clotting of the blood

Coagulation

The process of transforming a liquid into a solid, especially of the blood

Contusion

injury where the skin is not broken; synonymous with bruise.

Erythrocyte

red blood cell

Erythropoietin

A cytokine synthesized mainly in the kidneys and released into the bloodstream that stimulates the production of red blood cells

Fibrin

A stringy, insoluble protein that is the substance of a blood clot

Hematoma

collection of blood under the skin

Hemoglobin

A complex protein-iron compound in the blood that carries oxygen to the cells

Hemolysis

destruction of red blood cells

Hemophilia

involves different hereditary inadequacies of coagulation factors resulting in prolonged bleeding times

Hemorrhage

A loss of a large amount of blood in a short period of time, either externally or internally.

Hemostasis

stopping or controlling the flow of blood

Leukemia

increase in cancerous white blood cells in blood and bone marrow

Leukocyte

white blood cell

leukocytosis

elevated white blood cell count

Leukopenia

Abnormally low white blood cell count

Pancytopenia

A marked reduction in the number of the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Plasma

The watery, straw-colored, fluid portion of the lymph and the blood in which the leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets are suspended

Platelet

cell in the blood that aides in clotting; a thrombocyte

Prothrombin

plasma protein precursor of thrombin; coagulation factor II

purpura

collection of blood beneath the skin in the form of pinpoint hemorrhages appearing as red-purple skin discolorations

Thrombocytopenia

an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets

Thrombus

A clot

Complete blood cell count (CBC)

a laboratory evaluation of all the cells that circulate in the blood, including the number and hemoglobin content of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) or Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

A frequently ordered cluster of lab tests, comprising measurements of serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium), renal function (blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine), acid-base balance (bicarbonate), liver functions, and glucose.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

A test performed on the blood, which measures the rate at which red blood cells settle out in a tube of unclotted blood; a laboratory test used as a marker of inflammation

Partial thromboplastin time

lab test used to detect defects of the clotting system; the time it takes for the plasma to clot after the addition of partial thromboplastin

Prothrombin time

lab test that measures the time it takes for clotting to occur after thromboplastin and calcium are added to decalcified plasma; used to measure levels of anticoagulation on warfarin, or cause of unexplained bleeding

CBC

Complete blood cell count

CMP

Complete Metabolic Panel or Comprehensive Metabolic panel

ESR

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Hb, HgB

Hemoglobin

Hct

Hematocrit

MCH

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin

MCHC

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration

MCV

Mean corpuscular volume

PT

Prothrombin time

PTT

Partial thromboplastin time

RBC

Red blood cell

WBC

white blood cell