MLT 251 - Intro Hematology TERMs

Familiarize yourself with more hematology terms.

In vivo

In vivo refers to processes or experiments conducted within a living organism, as opposed to in vitro, which occurs outside of a living entity.

In vitro

In a controlled environment outside a living organism, often in a laboratory setting.

Oxygenation

The process of adding oxygen to the blood, either naturally in the lungs or artificially through medical devices.

Conjugated

Refers to a form of a compound that has been chemically combined with another substance, often used in the context of bilirubin in the liver.

Plasma

A yellowish fluid that carries blood cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

Heme

The iron-containing component of hemoglobin that plays a crucial role in oxygen transport in the blood.

Serum

The component of blood obtained after coagulation that contains antibodies and other proteins, but lacks cells and clotting factors.

Ferroprotoporhyrin

An iron-containing compound that forms the essential part of hemoglobin and myoglobin, playing a crucial role in oxygen transport.

Pyrrole ring

A five-membered ring structure that contains nitrogen, which is a key component in the synthesis of heme.

Whole blood

The complete fluid that circulates in the body's cardiovascular system consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Peripheral blood

The fluid that circulates in the cardiovascular system comprises red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, forming a protein or protein segment.

Anticoagulent

A substance that prevents blood coagulation or clotting.

Ferric iron

A form of iron (Fe3+) that is an essential component of hemoglobin and plays a crucial role in oxygen transport in the blood.

Ferrous iron

A form of iron (Fe2+) that is important for oxygen binding in hemoglobin and is also involved in various metabolic processes.

EDTA

A chelating agent is used to bind calcium ions and prevent blood clotting in laboratory samples.

Chelator

A substance that can form multiple bonds with a metal ion, effectively binding it and preventing its reactivity in solutions.

Isotonic

A solution with the same osmotic pressure as the cytoplasm of a cell prevents the net movement of water across the cell membrane.

Hypotonic

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, often causing cells to swell as they gain water.

Hypertonic

A solution that has a higher solute concentration than another solution, causing water to leave the cell, leading to cell shrinkage.

Semipermeable membrane

A membrane that allows specific molecules or ions to pass through while blocking others is essential in controlling the movement of substances in and out of cells.

Osmosis

The process by which water moves across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, thereby equalizing solute concentrations on both sides.

Osmotic pressure

The pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane due to osmosis. It is a key factor in determining fluid flow in biological systems.

Crenate

To shrink or become wrinkled, typically in reference to red blood cells when placed in a hypertonic solution.

Reference range

The range of values for a lab test that is considered normal for a healthy population. It helps in identifying deviations that may indicate health issues.

Aliquot

A portion of a larger sample is often used for testing or analysis, ensuring uniformity in measurements across tests.

Cell counts

The measurement of the number of cells in a specific volume of blood is commonly used to assess various health conditions and overall blood health.

Hemacytometer

A device used to count blood cells and other particles in a fluid, providing precise measurements of cell concentration.

Reticulocyte

An immature red blood cell that is commonly measured to assess bone marrow function and evaluate anemia.

WBC differential

A laboratory test that measures the percentage of different types of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, providing insight into immune system health and various conditions.

RBC Indices

A set of measurements, including Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), that provide information about red blood cell size and hemoglobin content.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returns carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs.

Hematocrit

The proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells, expressed as a percentage. Hematocrit is a key indicator for diagnosing anemia and other blood disorders.

Central pallor

Refers to the lighter area in the center of red blood cells, which indicates their normal shape, and is used to assess the presence of anemia or abnormal cell size.

Polycythemia vera

A blood disorder characterized by an increase in red blood cell mass, often leading to elevated blood viscosity and increased risk of thrombosis.

Secondary polycythemia

It is a condition where increased red blood cell production occurs due to external factors, such as hypoxia or tumors, often leading to elevated hematocrit levels.

Relative polycythemia

Occurs when plasma volume decreases, resulting in an apparent increase in red blood cell concentration without an actual increase in red blood cell mass.

High affinity

For oxygen binding by hemoglobin, leading to enhanced oxygen uptake in the lungs but reduced release to tissues.

Low affinity

A condition where hemoglobin's oxygen binding is weakened, making it less effective at oxygen transport compared to normal hemoglobin.

Oxidation

The process in which a substance loses electrons is often associated with the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen. It plays a crucial role in metabolic reactions.

C-Reactive Protein

A protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, often used as a clinical marker in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory diseases.

Erythrocyte

A type of red blood cell responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

Leukocyte

A type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response, helping the body to fight infections and other diseases.

Granulocyte

A subtype of leukocyte characterized by the presence of granules in its cytoplasm, involved in the immune response and inflammation.

Megakaryocyte

A large bone marrow cell that is responsible for the production of platelets, which are essential for blood clotting.

Thrombocytosis

A condition characterized by an abnormally high number of platelets in the blood.

Thrombocytoenia

A condition characterized by an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood, which can lead to bleeding and bruising.

Neutrophil, PMN

A type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune response by attacking and digesting bacteria and fungi.

Band

An immature form of neutrophil that is released into the bloodstream during an infection or inflammation.

Eosinophil

A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and combating parasitic infections, characterized by its bi-lobed nucleus and cytoplasmic granules.

Basophil

A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and inflammatory responses, releasing histamine and heparin.

Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the immune response, including the production of antibodies and the regulation of immune reactions.

Monocyte

The largest type of white blood cell, which differentiates into macrophages and dendritic cells, playing a crucial role in immune response and the phagocytosis of pathogens.

Hypersegmentation

A condition where neutrophils have an excessive number of nuclear lobes, often associated with megaloblastic anemia.

Barr body

An inactivated X chromosome is found in female mammals, visible in the nucleus of a cell.

Azurophilic

Granules found in neutrophils that contain enzymes and antimicrobial substances are necessary for the immune response.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs and digests microorganisms or cellular debris.

Lymphokine

A type of cytokine produced by lymphocytes that regulates immune responses and enhances the function of other immune cells.

Interleukin

A type of lymphokine that plays a key role in regulating immune responses by facilitating communication between white blood cells.

Methemoglobin

A form of hemoglobin that is unable to bind oxygen due to the iron in its heme group being oxidized to the ferric state.

Sulfhemoglobin

A type of hemoglobin that results from the chemical alteration of hemoglobin by sulfur, which affects its ability to carry oxygen.

Carboxyhemoglobin

A complex formed when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, preventing it from carrying oxygen.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, indicating insufficient oxygen in the blood.

Hypoxia

A condition in which oxygen is deficient in the tissues, often resulting in symptoms like shortness of breath and cyanosis.

Colorimetric method

For measuring hemoglobin levels in blood by using color changes in a sample.

Cyanmethemoglobin

A method for measuring hemoglobin levels in blood by converting it to cyanmethemoglobin, allowing for accurate quantification.

Drabkin’s reagent

A solution used in the cyanmethemoglobin method to convert hemoglobin into cyanmethemoglobin for quantification.

Lipemia

A condition characterized by an excess of lipids in the blood, which can interfere with various laboratory tests, including hemoglobin measurements.

Oxyhemoglobin

A form of hemoglobin bound to oxygen, which is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the body.

Azide-methemoglobin

A form of hemoglobin in which the heme iron is oxidized, resulting in a compound that cannot bind oxygen, often used in blood tests.

POCT

Point-of-care testing is medical diagnostic testing conducted at or near the site of patient care, allowing for immediate results.

PCV

Packed Cell Volume, the percentage of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells, is typically used to assess anemia or polycythemia.

Buffy coat

The layer of white blood cells and platelets that forms between the plasma and red blood cells when blood is centrifuged, indicating the cellular component of blood.

Capillary tube

A thin glass tube used to collect small blood samples, often utilized for blood tests like PCV and hemoglobin measurements.

Centrifuge

A device used to separate components of blood by spinning it at high speeds, causing denser materials to move to the bottom.

Icteric

A condition indicating the presence of bilirubin in the blood, often leading to a yellowish tint in serum or plasma.

Hemolysis

The breakdown of red blood cells, leading to the release of hemoglobin into the plasma.

ESR

Elevated Sedimentation rate, a laboratory test that measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in a vertical tube over a specific period, often used to detect inflammation.

Necrosis

The death of body tissue due to factors such as injury, disease, or lack of blood flow leads to the breakdown of cells.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to reduced oxygen transport and symptoms like fatigue and weakness.

Rouleux

A condition where red blood cells stack together, resembling a roll of coins. It can indicate various underlying medical conditions, such as inflammation or multiple myeloma.

Anisocytosis

The presence of red blood cells of varying sizes in a blood sample often indicates an underlying health issue, such as anemia or a nutritional deficiency.

Poikilocytosis

The presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells in a blood sample often indicates conditions such as anemia or other blood disorders.

C-reactive protein

A substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation, often used as a marker for inflammatory diseases.

Leukocytosis

An increase in white blood cell count in the bloodstream often indicates infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions.

Leukopenia

A condition characterized by an abnormally low white blood cell count, which can increase the risk of infections and may indicate various underlying health issues.

Plasma cell

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies and plays a crucial role in the immune response.

Immunodeficiency

A state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease is compromised or absent, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.

Marginal pool

A storage site for white blood cells, primarily in the spleen and other lymphoid tissues, that can be mobilized during immune responses.

Coagulopathies

Disorders affecting blood coagulation, leading to excessive bleeding or thrombosis.

Malignacy

A condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.

Basophilic

In staining, it refers to cells or tissue structures that have an affinity for basic dyes, typically indicating the presence of RNA or specific proteins.

Eosinophilic

Relating to cells or tissue structures that have an affinity for acidic dyes, which are often associated with allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Neutrophilic

Relating to a type of white blood cell that is characterized by the presence of granules that stain with neutral dyes, it is often involved in the body's immune response.

Wright stain

A type of stain used in hematology that enables the differentiation of blood cell types by highlighting their morphological characteristics.

Polychromatic

The staining technique used to differentiate cellular components in blood smears and other tissue samples.

N:C Ratio

The nucleus-to-cytoplasm (N:C) ratio is a measure used in hematology to assess the proportion of a cell's nucleus to its cytoplasm, which can indicate the type and maturity of blood cells.

Chromatin

The material within a cell nucleus consists of DNA and proteins, which condense to form chromosomes during cell division.

Parachromatin

A type of chromatin that appears less condensed and is associated with active gene transcription, playing a role in the regulation of gene expression.

Nucleoli

Small, dense structures within the nucleus where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized and assembled with proteins to form ribosomal subunits.