Medical Terminology Review

Flashcards covering medical terminology related to blood and the lymphatic system.

What is Agglutination?

Clumping process (usually refers to cells).

What is Anaphylaxis?

A strong allergic reaction to substances.

What is Anemia?

Blood condition in which there is a lack of red blood cells, a reduced amount of hemoglobin, or a low volume of packed red cells

What is Anisocytosis?

Unequal size and shape of the RBCs.

What is an Antibody?

A protein produced in the body that is a response to a foreign substance (antigen).

What is an Anticoagulant?

A substance that prevents blood coagulation.

What is an Antigen?

A foreign substance that induces the formation of antibodies.

What is Autotransfusion?

The process of reinfusing a patient's own blood.

What does Coagulable mean?

Capable of forming a blood clot.

What are Petechiae?

Minute hemorrhagic spots just under the skin surface that may be an indication of coagulation dysfunction.

What is Plasmapheresis?

Process by which blood is removed from the body, centrifuged to separate the plasma from the blood, and then the cellular elements are reinfused back into the patient.

What is Polycythemia?

Too many RBCs.

What is Sepsis?

The body's response to septicemia, a bloodstream infection that may become serious and include fever, organ failure, shock, or even death.

What is Septicemia?

The abnormal condition in which bacteria are present in the bloodstream (i.e., bacterial infection of the blood).

What is Splenomegaly?

Spleen enlargement.

What is Thrombosis?

A blood clot within the vascular system.

What is Vasculitis?

Small vessel inflammation and can refer to blood or lymph vessels.

What is Hyperglycemia?

Excessive amounts of sugar/glucose in the blood.

What is Hypoxia?

Low or deficient oxygen in the blood and tissues.

What is Leukapheresis?

Procedure whereby the WBCs are removed when a patient donates blood and they can then be reinfused once the other blood components are withdrawn.

What is Lymph?

Clear colorless liquid found in the lymph vessels.

What is Lymphadenitis?

Lymph gland inflammation.

What is Lymphangitis?

Lymph vessel inflammation.

What is Lymphedema?

Swelling or an abnormal accumulation of lymph in the interstitial spaces.

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphoid neoplasm (cancer).

What is Lymphostasis?

Stopping the flow of lymph.

What is Pancytopenia?

Lack of all cellular elements of the blood.

What is Embolus?

A blood clot carried in the bloodstream.

What is Erythrocytosis?

An abnormal condition whereby there is an increased number of RBCs.

What is Erythropoiesis?

Red cell formation.

What is Erythropoietin?

Protein secreted by the kidneys that acts on stem cells of the bone marrow to stimulate RBC production (erythropoiesis).

What is Fibrinogen?

Protein converted to a fibrin clot in hemostasis.

What is Hematology/hematologist?

The study of blood, one who studies blood.

What is Hematoma?

The accumulation of blood in tissues after blood has leaked out as a result of injury or trauma.

What is Hemochromatosis?

Genetic condition in which iron accumulates in the body tissues.

What is Hemolysis?

Blood destruction or rupturing of the RBCs.