CA1 Hematology Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, cell types, definitions, and disease descriptions from the CA1 Hematology lecture.

Hematology

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

Plasma

The liquid component of blood that comprises $91\%$ water, liver-produced proteins (such as albumin and globulin) exerting oncotic pressure, fibrinogen, antibodies, salts, hormones, nutrients, and waste.

Convalescent Plasma Therapy

A treatment using blood plasma from recovered individuals to transfer antibodies to sick patients, providing passive immunity before their own immune system can respond.

Hemoglobin

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

Hemoglobin A (HbA)

The primary adult hemoglobin with a chemical structure of Alpha2 Beta2 ($\alpha_2\beta_2$), making up $95\%$ to $98\%$ of total hemoglobin in healthy adults.

Hematocrit

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

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

A standard Complete Blood Count (CBC) parameter that measures the average size and volume of red blood cells.

Erythropoiesis

The red bone marrow process of red blood cell production driven by kidney-derived erythropoietin, progressing from stem cell to proerythroblast, erythroblast, reticulocyte, and mature RBC.

Microcytic Anemia

An anemia classification where red blood cells are smaller than normal, identified on a complete blood count by a Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) under $80\,fL$.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

A heme synthesis defect causing decreased iron stores, reduced hemoglobin production, and diminished oxygen delivery to tissues.

Thalassemia

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

Cooley's Anemia

Another name for Beta thalassemia major; the most severe form of beta thalassemia that manifests in infants aged 6 to 24 months with severe anemia, poor growth, bone deformities, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Normocytic Anemia

A form of anemia characterized by a decreased count of red blood cells or lower hemoglobin levels while the existing RBCs maintain normal size.

Aplastic Anemia

A rare condition in which bone marrow failure prevents the production of sufficient blood cells, resulting in pancytopenia.

Pancytopenia

A laboratory finding indicative of aplastic anemia, defined by a simultaneous decrease in circulating red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs)

Secreted proteins utilized in therapy to stimulate bone marrow stem cells to produce white blood cells.

Sickle Cell Anemia

An inherited blood disorder characterized by rigid, crescent-shaped RBCs formed during decreased oxygen tension, causing severe hemolytic anemia and vascular occlusion.

Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

An acute exacerbation of sickle cell anemia where sickled cells obstruct capillary beds, producing tissue ischemia, infarction, fever, and severe pain.

Macrocytic Anemia

A classification of anemia where red blood cells are larger than normal, defined by a Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) exceeding $100\,fL$.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

A macrocytic condition presenting with severe pallor, smooth beefy red tongue, paresthesia, slight jaundice, and impaired gait and balance coordination.

Pernicious Anemia

An autoimmune macrocytic anemia where gastric loss of intrinsic factor (IF) prevents intestinal absorption of vitamin B12.

Vitamin B9 Deficiency Anemia

An anemia caused by insufficient folate, leading to defective red blood cell maturation and the presence of oval-shaped macroovalocytes.

Polycythemia

A condition characterized by an overproduction of red blood cells and elevated hematocrit, leading to heightened blood viscosity and reduced blood flow.

Polycythemia Vera

A chronic blood cancer caused by a JAK2 gene mutation that overstimulates bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell division.

Erythromelalgia

A vascular condition associated with polycythemia, marked by a classic triad of deep red or purple erythema, warmth, and paroxysmal burning pain in the extremities.