CA1 Hematology Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from the CA1 Hematology lecture notes covering blood components, erythropoiesis, microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic anemias, and polycythemia.

Hematology

The branch of medicine that studies and treats blood, blood-forming organs, and blood-related disorders.

Convalescent Plasma Therapy

A treatment using blood plasma from recovered individuals to provide passive immunity and deliver antibodies to sick patients before their immune system responds.

Hemoglobin

An iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Hematocrit

The percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells, also referred to as packed cell volume (PCV).

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

A measurement of the average size and volume of individual red blood cells evaluated in a complete blood count.

Erythropoiesis

The process of red blood cell production occurring in red bone marrow, stimulated by erythropoietin released from the kidneys.

Microcytic Anemia

A group of anemias characterized by red blood cells that are smaller than normal, indicated by a Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) under $80\,\text{fL}$.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

A microcytic blood condition caused by inadequate iron stores, leading to decreased hemoglobin synthesis and reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.

Thalassemia

An autosomal recessive inherited blood disorder caused by reduced synthesis of globin chains, impairing normal hemoglobin formation.

Alpha Thalassemia Major

The most severe form of $\alpha$-thalassemia caused by the loss of all 4 alpha-globin genes, leading to hydrops fetalis and extreme fluid buildup.

Beta Thalassemia Major (Cooley's Anemia)

The most severe form of $\beta$-thalassemia manifesting in infants aged 6 to 24 months, marked by severe anemia, poor growth, bone deformities, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Normocytic Anemia

Anemia characterized by a reduced overall quantity of red blood cells or hemoglobin, while individual red blood cells retain normal size.

Aplastic Anemia

A rare and serious blood disorder where bone marrow failure leads to pancytopenia.

Pancytopenia

A condition involving a simultaneous deficiency of red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets.

Sickle Cell Anemia

An inherited blood disorder in which abnormal hemoglobin causes round red blood cells to become rigid, C-shaped, and prone to capillary obstruction under low oxygen tension.

Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

An acute, painful episode in sickle cell anemia caused by sickled cells obstructing blood flow in small capillaries, resulting in tissue ischemia and infarction.

Macrocytic Anemia

A category of anemia characterized by abnormally large red blood cells, defined by a Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) exceeding $100\,\text{fL}$.

Pernicious Anemia

A specific type of vitamin B12 deficiency caused by an autoimmune failure of gastric parietal cells to produce intrinsic factor (IF).

Schilling Test

A medical test performed to determine the specific cause of vitamin B12 deficiency and assess intestinal absorption capabilities.

Polycythemia Vera

A chronic blood cancer caused by a mutation in the $JAK2$ gene, leading to overproduction of red blood cells and increased blood viscosity.

Erythromelalgia

A peripheral vascular condition associated with polycythemia, presenting with a classic triad of erythema, warmth, and paroxysmal burning pain in the extremities.

Deferasirox

An iron chelation medication administered to treat iron overload resulting from repeated blood transfusions.