Med-Terms 13.3 Blood Definitions

Blood-Related Terms

• Hyperchromia: Condition characterized by excessively pigmented red blood cells.
• Hypochromia: Refers to under-pigmented red blood cells, indicating potential health issues.
• Normochromia: Describes normally pigmented red blood cells, an indicator of healthy blood.

Blood Cell Types

• Erythrocyte: Another term for red blood cells, essential for oxygen transport.
• Leukocyte: Refers to white blood cells, crucial for the immune response.
• Thrombocyte: Also known as platelets, these cells are involved in blood clotting.
• Reticulocyte: Immature red blood cell with a network of granules, indicative of erythropoiesis.
• Hemocytoblast: An immature blood cell that serves as a precursor to all blood types.
• Lymphoblast: Immature form of lymphocyte, a type of white blood cell.
• Monoblast: Immature form of monocyte, another type of white blood cell.

Blood Conditions

• Hemolysis: Process of breakdown of blood cells which can lead to anemia.
• Anemia: A deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen transport.
• Leukemia: Malignant condition marked by increased white blood cell production, classified as a cancer.
• Erythremia: Abnormal increase in red blood cell count, potentially leading to health complications.
• Leukocytosis: Significant increase in white blood cell count, often indicative of infection or other conditions.
• Erythrocytopenia: Decrease in red blood cells, synonymous with erythropenia.
• Leukocytopenia: Decrease in white blood cells, also known as leukopenia.
• Pancytopenia: Reduction in the number of all types of blood cells, indicating serious health issues.
• Thrombocytopenia: Decreased platelet count, affecting clotting ability.

Laboratory Tests and Processes

• Hematocrit: Laboratory test that measures the proportion of red blood cells in blood.
• Electrophoresis: Laboratory technique for separating proteins in a mixture using an electric current.
• Erythropoiesis: The process leading to the production of red blood cells.
• Hematopoiesis: General term for the production of all blood cell types.
• Hemostasis: The process of blood stoppage to prevent excessive bleeding.

Chemical and Hormonal Factors

• Hyperbilirubinemia: Condition with elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, can indicate liver issues.
• Hypercholesterolemia: Excess cholesterol in the blood, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Hyperlipidemia: Elevated levels of fats in the blood, which can lead to various health problems.
• Erythropoietin: Kidney-produced hormone that stimulates the formation of red blood cells.

Abnormal Blood Cell Characteristics

• Anisocytosis: Increased variability in the size of blood cells, particularly red blood cells.
• Poikilocytosis: Increased variation in the shape of blood cells, particularly red blood cells, which can indicate disease.