Round 2 Getting to Know You: Introduction to the Language of Hematology and Immunology

What is thrombopoiesis?

Production of platelets.

What is monocytosis?

Increase in the number of monocytes in blood.

What is leukopenia?

Decrease in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells).

What is pancytopenia?

Decrease in erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

What is myelitis?

Inflammation of the bone marrow.

What is myeloid hyperplasia?

Increase in the number of myeloid cells in bone marrow.

What is erythroid aplasia?

Absence or severe decrease of erythroid cells in bone marrow.

What is the primary function of erythrocytes?

Gas exchange: carry oxygen to tissues from the lungs.

What are the primary functions of leukocytes?

Host defense and assisting in wound healing.

What are the primary functions of platelets?

Hemostasis and assisting in wound healing.

What is the difference between plasma and serum?

Plasma contains coagulation proteins; serum does not contain them.

What are the two arms of the immune system?

Innate immunity and adaptive immunity.

What is innate immunity?

Rapid, nonspecific defense against threats.

What is adaptive immunity?

Specific defense involving B and T lymphocytes.

What are the primary lymphoid organs?

Bone marrow, thymus, and Bursa of Fabricius in birds.

What happens in primary lymphoid organs?

Lymphoid cells are created and/or mature.

Where do B cells develop and mature?

Bone marrow.

Where do T cells mature?

Thymus.

What are the secondary lymphoid organs?

Spleen, lymph nodes, and MALT/SALT.

What happens in secondary lymphoid organs?

Mature lymphocytes encounter antigens and become activated.

What are the major functions of the spleen?

Stores RBCs and platelets; removes old RBCs; filters microbes; activates immunity.

Where does hematopoiesis occur?

Bone marrow.

Where are bone marrow samples collected in small animals?

Iliac crest, proximal femur, and proximal humerus.

Where are bone marrow samples collected in large animals?

Rib and sternum.

What is myelofibrosis?

Replacement of hematopoietic bone marrow cells by fibrous tissue.

How does myelofibrosis affect hematopoiesis?

Less functional marrow leads to decreased production of blood cells.

What are the special characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells?

They undergo mitosis, self-renewal, and differentiation; they have a low mitotic rate.

What is special about lymphocytes compared with other leukocytes?

They can recirculate between tissues and blood.

What blood tube is most often used for a CBC?

Purple-top tube containing EDTA.

What test should be performed with a CBC?

Blood smear review.

Which CBC values require blood film review for accurate assessment?

Leukocyte differential, NRBCs, RBC morphology, and WBC morphology.

What are the three parts of a CBC?

Erythrogram, leukogram, and thrombogram.

What does the erythrogram evaluate?

RBC number, size, hemoglobin, regeneration, and morphology.

What does the leukogram evaluate?

WBC number, types of leukocytes, and morphology.

What does the thrombogram evaluate?

Platelet number and morphology.