LAB+07+HEMATOLOGY

Hematology

The study of blood, which consists of a liquid phase (plasma) and a cellular phase (formed elements like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).

WBC Differential

A laboratory test that visualizes and quantifies the different types of white blood cells in a blood sample.

Hematocrit

The ratio of the volume of packed red blood cells (RBCs) to the total blood volume.

RBC Count

The number of red blood cells present in a milliliter of whole blood.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells, composed of globin and heme molecules.

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

A measure of the volume of an erythrocyte, calculated as Hematocrit x 10 / RBC count.

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

A measure reflecting the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells, calculated as Hemoglobin (g/dL) x 100 / Hematocrit.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which may result from low hemoglobin or a reduced number of red blood cells.

Agglutination

The clumping of red blood cells that occurs when antigens on the cell surface react with antibodies in plasma, significant for blood typing.

Rh Factor

An antigen present on the surface of red blood cells; individuals with the antigen are Rh positive (Rh+), while those without are Rh negative (Rh-).

Hemocytometer

A special microscope slide used for counting blood cells, it facilitates the accurate counting of individual red blood cells.

Platelets

Cell fragments in blood that play a crucial role in clotting.

Prothrombin

A protein that is converted to thrombin in the clotting pathway.

Fibrin

A protein that forms the basis of a blood clot, produced from fibrinogen in the presence of thrombin.

Antigens

Cell surface markers on red blood cells that determine blood type and can elicit an immune response.

Hemoglobinometer

A device that measures hemoglobin concentration in blood by comparing its color to standards of known concentrations.

Chemical Waste

Materials that must be disposed of in special chemical waste containers due to their hazardous nature.

Microcentrifuge

An instrument used to spin samples at high speeds to separate components based on density.

Ery-TIC Dilution System

A system used to dilute blood samples for counting red blood cells accurately.

Normal Hemoglobin Concentration

The typical range for hemoglobin concentration in adults, which is between 12 to 18 grams percent (gm%).