vet 113 chapter 15

What are the general functions of blood?

Supplies body tissues with required substances such as hormones (5\% of circulating solutes), oxygen, nutrients, and regulatory molecules.

What is the whole-blood composition? ("Think 50/50")

The approximate composition of whole blood, where roughly half of a tube becomes plasma/serum and half cellular components.

What is a purple-top tube used for?

An anticoagulant tube (EDTA) best for blood smears and differential counts because it preserves cellular morphology and avoids platelet clumping.

What is a green-top tube used for?

An anticoagulant tube (Lithium heparin) acceptable for many chemistry tests but not ideal for morphologic evaluation (blood smears).

What does normocytic mean?

Pertaining to red blood cells of normal size.

What does macrocytic mean?

Pertaining to red blood cells larger than normal.

What does microcytic mean?

Pertaining to red blood cells smaller than normal.

What does normochromic mean?

Pertaining to red blood cells with typical hemoglobin staining/color.

What does hypochromic mean?

Pertaining to red blood cells with decreased color, often indicating less hemoglobin or iron deficiency.

What does hyperchromic mean?

An unusually dark red blood cell color, which is rare and often an artifact.

What are target cells?

Red blood cells exhibiting a bull-seye pattern (dark-light-dark).

What is rouleaux?

Red blood cells stacked like coins; considered pathologic in dogs & cats, but physiologic in horses.

What is agglutination?

Irregular clumping of red blood cells, suggesting immune-mediated disease, some infections, or mismatched transfusion.

What are leukocytes?

Another term for white blood cells (WBCs).

What is leukopoiesis?

The process of production of white blood cells (WBCs).

What are the five major types of leukocytes?

Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, and Monocytes.

What are granulocytes?

White blood cells with cytoplasmic granules: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

What are agranulocytes?

White blood cells without obvious granules: lymphocytes and monocytes.

What does basophilic mean?

Describes cells or structures that stain dark blue with basic dyes.

What are the key functions of the lymphatic system?

Returns excess interstitial fluid to bloodstream; absorbs dietary fats & fat-soluble vitamins; filters lymph; and provides structural sites for immune cell housing, activation, and proliferation.

How is lymph formed?

The process where interstitial (tissue) fluid enters blind-ended lymph capillaries and becomes lymph.

What are the major palpable lymph node groups?

Mandibular (caudal to mandible), Prescapular (cranial to shoulder), Axillary (armpit), Inguinal (groin), and Popliteal (caudal stifle).

What is the clinical relevance of an enlarged lymph node?

An enlarged lymph node suggests active filtration of antigenic material, prompting further diagnostic investigation.

What are tonsils?

Masses of lymphatic tissue guarding the oral & nasal entryways.

What is the spleen?

An organ of the lymphatic system mentioned in the overview.