Module 3- Blood Vocabulary

ABO blood groups – A system for classifying human blood based on the presence or absence of A and B antigens on red blood cells. The main groups are A, B, AB, and O.

Agranulocytosis – A condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough granulocytes (a type of white blood cell), leading to an increased risk of infection.

Anemia – A condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells (RBCs), leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

Aplastic anemia/bone marrow failure – A type of anemia caused by the failure of the bone marrow to produce sufficient blood cells.

B lymphocytes – A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system and plays a key role in antibody production.

Bands – Immature white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, that are often released in response to infection.

Basophils – A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and inflammation, containing granules that release histamine.

Bilirubin – A yellow compound produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from old red blood cells. It is processed by the liver and excreted in bile.

Blasts – Immature blood cells, often referring to immature white blood cells. Their presence in the blood can indicate leukemia.

Cheilitis/cheilosis – Inflammation or cracking of the lips, often due to a deficiency in vitamins, such as riboflavin (B2).

Coagulation – The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot to stop bleeding.

Coagulation factors/clotting factors – Proteins in the blood that work together to form blood clots. Examples include factor VIII, IX, and fibrinogen.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) – A condition characterized by widespread clotting in the blood vessels, leading to organ damage and bleeding.

Eosinophils – A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Epistaxis – Nosebleed, or bleeding from the nostrils.

Erythrocytes/RBCs – Red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Erythropoietin – A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Extrinsic coagulation pathway – The clotting pathway triggered by external trauma leading to the release of tissue factor, which activates the clotting cascade.

Fibrin – A protein formed during blood clotting that helps form the structure of a blood clot.

Fibrinolysis – The process of breaking down a clot after it has fulfilled its function.

Granulocytes – A type of white blood cell containing granules that help fight infections. Includes neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) – A protein that stimulates the production of granulocytes in the bone marrow.

Hematopoiesis – The process of blood cell formation, which occurs in the bone marrow.

Hemoglobin – A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it through the bloodstream.

Hemolysis – The destruction or breakdown of red blood cells, often leading to the release of hemoglobin into the bloodstream.

Hemophilia A – A genetic disorder in which blood does not clot properly due to a deficiency in clotting factor VIII.

Hemostasis – The process of stopping bleeding, including the formation of a clot and subsequent clot removal.

Hypochromic – Refers to red blood cells that have less color than normal, typically due to a decrease in hemoglobin, as seen in iron-deficiency anemia.

Intrinsic coagulation pathway – The clotting pathway activated by damage to blood vessels, involving clotting factors present in the blood.

Intrinsic factor – A protein produced in the stomach that is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines.

Iron-deficiency anemia – A type of anemia caused by a lack of sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin.

Jaundice – A condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, often due to liver disease or excessive breakdown of red blood cells.

Leukocytes/WBCs – White blood cells that are part of the immune system and help protect the body from infections.

Leukopenia – A condition where there is a low white blood cell count, which can impair the body’s ability to fight infections.

Lymphocytic leukemia – A type of leukemia involving abnormal growth of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).

MCHC – Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, a measure of the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

MCV – Mean corpuscular volume, a measure of the average size of red blood cells.

Macrocytic – Refers to larger-than-normal red blood cells, often seen in vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

Megaloblastic – Refers to abnormally large and immature red blood cells, often associated with vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies.

Microcytic – Refers to smaller-than-normal red blood cells, commonly seen in iron-deficiency anemia.

Monocytes/macrophages – Types of white blood cells involved in the immune response and the removal of dead cells and pathogens.

Myelocytic/myelogenous leukemia – A type of leukemia that originates from the myeloid cells in the bone marrow.

Natural killer (NK) cells – A type of white blood cell that plays a role in the body's defense against tumors and viral infections.

Neutropenia – A condition characterized by low neutrophil count, increasing the risk of bacterial infections.

Neutrophilia – A condition characterized by an elevated neutrophil count, often indicating infection or inflammation.

Neutrophils – A type of white blood cell that is the first line of defense against bacterial infections.

Normochromic – Refers to red blood cells that have a normal color due to normal hemoglobin content.

Normocytic – Refers to red blood cells that are of normal size, as seen in normal health or certain anemias.

Paresthesias – Sensory changes such as tingling, numbness, or "pins and needles," often due to nerve damage.

Pernicious anemia – An autoimmune disorder where there is a deficiency of vitamin B12 due to the lack of intrinsic factor.

Petechia – Small, red or purple spots on the skin caused by bleeding under the skin.

Plasmapheresis/plasma exchange – A medical procedure that removes and replaces plasma in the blood, often used for certain autoimmune disorders.

Platelets – Small cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Polycythemia – A condition characterized by an excessive number of red blood cells, which increases blood viscosity.

Polycythemia Vera – A rare blood disorder in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, leading to thickened blood and an increased risk of clotting.

Purpura – The appearance of purple or red spots on the skin due to bleeding under the skin.

RBCs – Red blood cells, responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues and removing carbon dioxide.

Reticulocytes – Immature red blood cells that are usually released from the bone marrow and mature into RBCs in the bloodstream.

Rh blood antigens – Proteins found on the surface of red blood cells that determine Rh blood type (positive or negative).

Segs – Segmented neutrophils, which are mature neutrophils involved in fighting infections.

“Shift to the left” – A term used to describe an increased number of immature neutrophils (bands) in the blood, often indicating an ongoing infection.

Sickle cell anemia/sickle cell trait – A genetic disorder where red blood cells are abnormally shaped, leading to blockages in blood flow and reduced oxygen delivery.

Splenectomy – Surgical removal of the spleen.

Splenomegaly – Enlargement of the spleen, often due to infection or certain blood disorders.

T lymphocytes – A type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response, particularly in recognizing and attacking infected or abnormal cells.

Thrombocytes/platelets – Platelets are involved in blood clotting and wound healing.

Thrombocytopenia – A condition characterized by a low platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding.

Thrombosis – The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which can obstruct blood flow.

Viscosity – The thickness or stickiness of blood, which can affect blood flow and clotting.

Vitamin B9/folic acid – A water-soluble vitamin important for the production of red blood cells and the prevention of birth defects.

Vitamin B12/cobalamin – A water-soluble vitamin essential for the production of red blood cells and proper nerve function.

Vitamin K – A fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting.

WBCs – White blood cells, which are part of the immune system and help protect the body from infections.