Clinical Laboratory Studies

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions related to clinical laboratory studies, important for understanding medical laboratory tests and their implications in diagnosing and treating diseases.

Clinical laboratory tests

Tests used to diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease.

Hematology

The branch of medicine that studies blood and blood diseases.

Leukocytes

Also known as white blood cells; they are involved in protecting the body against infection.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Thrombocytes

Also known as platelets; small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A test that determines the number and type of blood cells present in the blood.

Neutrophils

A type of white blood cell that forms an essential part of the immune system.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that are involved in allergic reactions and response to parasitic infections.

Basophils

A type of white blood cell that may play a role in allergic responses.

Lymphocytes

A category of white blood cells crucial for the body's immune response.

Anemia

A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

Thrombocytopenia

An abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.

Hemostasis

The process that prevents and stops bleeding, or hemorrhage.

Hypernatremia

A condition characterized by high levels of sodium in the blood.

Hypokalemia

A condition where there is a lower than normal level of potassium in the blood.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A test that measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea.

Creatinine

A waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine.

Albumin

A protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid in the bloodstream.

Cardiac biomarkers

Substances released into the blood when the heart is damaged, often used to diagnose heart attacks.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Pleural effusion

The accumulation of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs.

Tuberculin skin test (PPD test)

A test used to determine if a person has developed an immune response to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.