Blood & Lymphatic System – Quick-Reference Glossary

These vocabulary flashcards cover the key hematology and immunology terms found throughout the five-page quick-reference glossary, providing concise definitions for efficient study.

embolus

mass of matter present in the blood

erythrocyte

red blood cell

erythrocytosis

abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells

hematocrit

test that separates blood components to determine the ratio of red cell volume to total blood volume

hematology

study of the blood

hematoma

mass of blood within an organ, cavity, or tissue (bruise)

hematopoiesis

formation of blood cells

hemoglobin

iron-containing pigment in red cells that carries oxygen

hemoglobinopathy

disease of the hemoglobin

hemolysis

breakdown of red blood cells

hemolytic anemia

anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells

hemophilia

inherited condition in which blood does not clot properly, causing excessive bleeding

hemorrhage

excessive blood loss

hemostatic

drug that stops the flow of blood

hepatosplenitis

inflammation of the liver and spleen

hepatosplenomegaly

enlargement of the liver and spleen

hyperbilirubinemia

excessive bilirubin in the blood

hypercholesterolemia

excessive cholesterol in the blood

hypercoagulability

increased ability of the blood to clot

hyperlipidemia

excessive fat in the blood

hypersplenism

increased spleen activity

hypervolemia

increased blood volume

hypoperfusion

inadequate flow of blood through an organ

hypovolemia

decreased blood volume

immunocompromised

having an immune system incapable of an adequate response to pathogens

immunodeficiency

state in which the immune system’s response is decreased or compromised

immunoglobulin

protective protein (antibody) that provides immunity

immunologist

specialist in the immune system

immunology

study of the immune system

immunosuppression

reduction in the activity of the body’s immune system

iron deficiency anemia

anemia caused by inadequate iron intake

anemia

reduction in red blood cells, felt as weakness or fatigue

anisocytosis

condition with marked inequality in red blood-cell size

antibody

substance produced by the body in response to an antigen

anticoagulant

drug that prevents blood clotting

antigen

substance that triggers antibody production

apheresis

procedure that removes specific components from blood and returns the remainder to the patient

aplastic anemia

anemia due to insufficient formation of red blood cells

asplenia

absence of spleen or of spleen function

autoimmune disease

illness caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues

bilirubinemia

presence of bilirubin in the blood

coagulopathy

any disease involving problems with blood clotting

cytapheresis

apheresis procedure to remove cellular material

deep vein thrombosis

formation of a blood clot in a deep vein

ecchymosis

large bruise

elliptocyte

oval-shaped red blood cell

elliptocytosis

increase in the number of oval-shaped red blood cells

embolism

blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus

ischemia

blockage of blood flow to an organ

laparosplenectomy

surgical removal of the spleen through the abdomen

leukemia

cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by excessive white blood cells

leukocyte

white blood cell

leukocytosis

increase in white blood cells

leukopenia

deficiency in white blood cells

lymphadenectomy

surgical removal of a lymph node

lymphadenitis

inflammation of a lymph node

lymphadenopathy

disease or noticeable swelling of a lymph node

lymphadenotomy

incision into a lymph node

lymphangiectasia

dilation of a lymph vessel causing limb swelling

lymphangiogram

record (image) of lymph vessel study

lymphangiography

procedure to study lymph vessels

lymphangitis

inflammation of lymph vessels

lymphedema

swelling from abnormal accumulation of lymph

lymphocyte

lymph cell; type of white blood cell

lymphoma

tumor originating in lymphocytes

lymphopenia

abnormal deficiency of lymphocytes

macrocytosis

condition with large red blood cells

microcytosis

condition with small red blood cells

myelodysplasia

poor production of blood cells by bone marrow

myeloma

cancerous tumor of bone marrow

myelopoiesis

formation of bone marrow or its cells

nephrosplenopexy

surgical fixation of the spleen and a kidney

neutropenia

deficiency of neutrophils

normocyte

normal-sized red blood cell

oligocythemia

deficiency in the number of red blood cells

osteomyelitis

inflammation of bone and bone marrow

pancytopenia

deficiency of all blood cell types

perfusion

circulation of blood through tissue

petechia

small pinpoint bruise

phagocytosis

process in which white blood cells engulf microorganisms or debris

phlebarteriectasia

dilation of both veins and arteries

phlebology

study of veins

phlebotomist

specialist trained to draw blood

phlebotomy

incision into a vein; drawing blood

plasmapheresis

apheresis to remove plasma

plateletpheresis

apheresis to collect platelets for donation

poikilocytosis

presence of red blood cells of various shapes

polycythemia

excess of red blood cells

reperfusion injury

tissue damage occurring after blood flow is restored

reticulocyte

immature red blood cell

septicemia

presence of disease-causing microorganisms in the blood

spherocyte

red blood cell with a spherical shape

spherocytosis

condition in which red cells assume a spherical shape

sphygmomanometer

device used to measure blood pressure

splenalgia

pain in the spleen

splenectomy

surgical removal of the spleen

splenectopy

displacement of the spleen (floating spleen)

splenitis

inflammation of the spleen

splenodynia

pain in the spleen

splenolysis

destruction of spleen tissue