Module 3- Blood Vocabulary

ABO blood groups

A system for classifying human blood based on the presence or absence of A and B antigens on red blood cells.

Agranulocytosis

A condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough granulocytes, leading to an increased risk of infection.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

Aplastic anemia

A type of anemia caused by the failure of the bone marrow to produce sufficient blood cells.

B lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system and plays a key role in antibody production.

Bands

Immature white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, released in response to infection.

Basophils

A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and inflammation.

Bilirubin

A yellow compound produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from old red blood cells.

Blasts

Immature blood cells, often indicating leukemia.

Cheilitis

Inflammation or cracking of the lips, often due to vitamin deficiencies.

Coagulation

The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot to stop bleeding.

Coagulation factors

Proteins in the blood that work together to form blood clots.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

A condition characterized by widespread clotting in the blood vessels.

Eosinophils

A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Epistaxis

Nosebleed, or bleeding from the nostrils.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

Extrinsic coagulation pathway

The clotting pathway triggered by external trauma.

Fibrin

A protein formed during blood clotting that helps form the structure of a blood clot.

Fibrinolysis

The process of breaking down a clot after it has fulfilled its function.

Granulocytes

A type of white blood cell containing granules that help fight infections.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)

A protein that stimulates the production of granulocytes in the bone marrow.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation in the bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it through the bloodstream.

Hemolysis

The destruction or breakdown of red blood cells.

Hemophilia A

A genetic disorder in which blood does not clot properly due to a deficiency in clotting factor VIII.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding, including the formation of a clot.

Hypochromic

Refers to red blood cells that have less color than normal, typically due to a decrease in hemoglobin.

Intrinsic coagulation pathway

The clotting pathway activated by damage to blood vessels.

Intrinsic factor

A protein essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines.

Iron-deficiency anemia

A type of anemia caused by a lack of sufficient iron.

Jaundice

A condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that help protect the body from infections.

Leukopenia

A condition where there is a low white blood cell count.

Lymphocytic leukemia

A type of leukemia involving abnormal growth of lymphocytes.

MCHC

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, a measure of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

MCV

Mean corpuscular volume, a measure of the average size of red blood cells.

Macrocytic

Refers to larger-than-normal red blood cells, often seen in vitamin deficiencies.

Megaloblastic

Refers to abnormally large and immature red blood cells.

Microcytic

Refers to smaller-than-normal red blood cells.

Monocytes

Types of white blood cells involved in the immune response.

Myelocytic leukemia

A type of leukemia that originates from the myeloid cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells

A type of white blood cell that plays a role in defense against tumors.

Neutropenia

A condition characterized by low neutrophil count.

Neutrophilia

A condition characterized by an elevated neutrophil count.

Neutrophils

A type of white blood cell that is the first line of defense against bacterial infections.

Normochromic

Refers to red blood cells that have a normal color.

Normocytic

Refers to red blood cells that are of normal size.

Paresthesias

Sensory changes often due to nerve damage.

Pernicious anemia

An autoimmune disorder resulting in a deficiency of vitamin B12.

Petechia

Small, red or purple spots on the skin due to bleeding.

Plasmapheresis

A procedure that removes and replaces plasma in the blood.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Polycythemia

A condition characterized by an excessive number of red blood cells.

Polycythemia Vera

A rare blood disorder leading to an increased number of red blood cells.

Purpura

The appearance of purple or red spots on the skin due to bleeding.

RBCs

Red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues.

Reticulocytes

Immature red blood cells released from the bone marrow.

Rh blood antigens

Proteins on the surface of red blood cells that determine Rh blood type.

Segs

Segmented neutrophils, mature neutrophils involved in fighting infections.

“Shift to the left”

An increased number of immature neutrophils in the blood.

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic disorder where red blood cells are abnormally shaped.

Splenectomy

Surgical removal of the spleen.

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen.

T lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell key to the immune response.

Thrombocytes

Platelets involved in blood clotting.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition characterized by a low platelet count.

Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel.

Viscosity

The thickness or stickiness of blood.

Vitamin B9

A vitamin important for red blood cell production.

Vitamin B12

A vitamin essential for red blood cell production.

Vitamin K

A vitamin essential for blood clotting.

WBCs

White blood cells that help protect the body from infections.