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Blood and Immunity

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Term
Definition
Erythrocyte (red blood cell)   Tiny (7 mcm diameter), biconcave disk without nucleus (anuclear); carries oxygen bound to hemoglobin; also carries some carbon dioxide and buffers blood; 5 million per microliter of blood  
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Leukocyte (white blood cell)   Larger than red cell with prominent nucleus that may be segmented or unsegmented; types vary in staining properties; protects against pathogens and destroys foreign matter and debris; located in blood, tissues, and lymphatic system; 5k to 10k per mL  
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Platelet (thrombocyte)   Fragment of large cell (megakaryocyte); hemostasis; forms a platelet plug and starts blood clotting (coagulation); 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood  
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neutrophil   Cell type: granulocyte; relative percentage per adult is 54 to 62 percent; functions in phagocytosis  
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eosinophil   Cell type: granulocyte; relative percentage per adult is 1 to 3 percent; functions in allergic reactions, defends against parasites  
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basophil   Cell type: granulocyte; relative percentage per adult is less than 1 percent; functions in allergic reactions  
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lymphocyte   Cell type: agranulocyte; relative percentage per adult is 25 to 38 percent; functions in immunity (T cells and B cells)  
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monocyte   Cell type: agranulocyte; relative percentage per adult is 3 to 7 percent; functions in phagocytosis  
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agranulocyte   A white blood cell that does not have visible granules in its cytoplasm; agranulocytes include lymphocytes and monocytes  
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albumin   A simple protein found in blood plasma  
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antibody   A protein produced in response to and interacting specifically with an antigen  
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antigen   A substance that induces the formation of an antibody  
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antigen-presenting cell (APC)   Immune cell that takes in a foreign antigen, processes it, and presents it on the cell surface in combination with the body's own proteins, thus activating a T cell; examples are dendritic cells and macrophages, which are descendants of monocytes  
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B cell   A lymphocyte that matures in bone marrow and is active in producing antibodies; B lymphocyte  
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band cell   An immature neutrophil with a nucleus in the shape of a band; also called a stab cell; band cell counts are used to trace infections and other diseases  
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basophil   A granular leukocyte that stains strongly with basic dyes; active in allergic reactions  
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blood   The fluid that circulates in the cardiovascular system (roots: hem/o, hemat/o)  
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coagulation   Blood clotting  
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cross-matching   Testing the compatibility of donor and recipient blood in preparation for a transfusion; donor red cells are mixed with recipient serum to look for an immunologic reaction; similar tests are done on tissues before transplantation  
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electrolyte   A substance that separates into charged particles (ions) in solution; a salt; term also applied to ions in body fluids  
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eosinophil   A granular leukocyte that stains strongly with acidic dyes; active in allergic reactions and defense against parasites  
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erythrocyte   A red blood cell (roots: erythr/o, erythrocyt/o)  
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erythropoietin (EPO)   A hormone produced in the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow; this hormone is now made by genetic engineering for clinical use  
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fibrin   The protein that forms a clot in the blood coagulation process  
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fibrinogen   The inactive precursor of fibrin  
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formed elements   The cellular components of blood  
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gamma globulin   The fraction of the blood plasma that contains antibodies; given for passive transfer of immunity  
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granulocyte   A white blood cell that has visible granules in its cytoplasm; granulocytes include neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils  
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hemoglobin (Hb, Hgb)   The iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen  
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hemostasis   The stoppage of bleeding  
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immunity   The state of being protected against a disease (root: immun/o)  
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immunoglobulin (Ig)   An antibody; immunoglobulins fall into five classes, each abbreviated with a capital letter: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE  
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leukocyte   A white blood cell (roots: leuk/o, leukocyt/o)  
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lymphocyte   An agranular leukocyte active in immunity (T and B cells); found in both the blood and in lymphoid tissue (roots: lymph/o, lymphocyt/o)  
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megakaryocyte   A large bone marrow cell that fragments to release platelets  
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monocyte   An agranular phagocytic leukocyte  
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neutrophil   A granular leukocyte that stains weakly with both acidic and basic dyes; the most numerous of the white blood cells; a type of phagocyte  
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phagocytosis   The engulfing of foreign material by white blood cells  
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plasma   The liquid portion of the blood  
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plasma cell   A mature form of a B cell that produces antibodies  
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platelet   A formed element of the blood that is active in hemostasis; a thrombocyte (root: thrombocyt/o)  
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serum   The fraction of the plasma that remains after blood coagulation; it is the equivalent of plasma without its clotting factors (plural: sera, serums)  
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T cell   A lymphocyte that matures in the thymus and attacks foreign cells directly; T lymphocyte  
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thrombocyte   A blood platelet (root: thrombocyt/o)  
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-emia, -hemia   condition of blood  
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-penia   decrease in, deficiency of  
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-poiesis   formation, production  
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myel/o   bone marrow  
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hem/o, hemat/o   blood  
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erythr/o, erythrocyt/o   red blood cell  
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leuk/o, leukocyt/o   white blood cell  
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lymph/o, lymphocyt/o   lymphocyte  
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thromb/o   blood clot  
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thrombocyt/o   platelet, thrombocyte  
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immun/o   immunity, immune system  
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azot/o   nitrogenous compounds  
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calc/i   calcium (symbol Ca)  
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ferr/o, ferr/i   iron (symbol Fe)  
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sider/o   iron  
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kali   potassium (symbol K)  
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natri   sodium (symbol Na)  
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ox/y   oxygen (symbol O)  
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red blood cell count (RBC) test   number of red blood cells per microliter of blood  
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white blood cell count (WBC) test   number of white blood cells per microliter of blood  
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differential count (Diff) test   relative percentage of the different types of leukocytes  
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hematocrit (Ht, Hct, crit) test   relative percentage of packed red cells in a given volume of blood  
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packed cell volume (PCV) test   hematocrit  
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hemoglobin (Hb, Hgb) test   amount of hemoglobin in g/dL (100 mL) of blood  
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mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test   volume of an average red cell  
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mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) test   average weight of hemoglobin in red blood cells  
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mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) test   average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells  
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erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test   rate of erythrocyte setting per unit of time; used to detect infection or inflammation  
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complete blood count (CBC) test   series of tests including cell counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and cell volume measurements  
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activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test   Measures time required for clot formation; used to evaluate clotting factors and monitor heparin therapy  
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bleeding time (BT) test   Measures capacity of platelets to stop bleeding after a standard skin incision  
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partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test   Evaluates clotting factors; similar to APTT, but less sensitive  
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prothrombin time (PT, pro time) test   Indirectly measures prothrombin; used to monitor anticoagulant therapy; also called Quick test  
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thrombin time, thrombin clotting time (TT, TCT) test   Measures how quickly a clot forms  
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acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)   Immune system failure caused by infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus); the virus infects certain T cells and thus interferes with immunity  
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allergen   A substance that causes an allergic response  
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allergy   Hypersensitivity  
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anaphylactic reaction   An exaggerated allergic reaction to a foreign substance; it may lead to death caused by circulatory collapse and respiratory distress if untreated; also called anaphylaxis (from Greek phylaxis, meaning "protection")  
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anemia   A deficiency in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood; may result from blood loss, malnutrition, a hereditary defect, environmental factors, and other causes  
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angioedema   A localized edema with large hives (wheals) similar to urticaria but involving deeper layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue  
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aplastic anemia   Anemia caused by bone marrow failure resulting in deficient blood cell production, especially of red cells; pancytopenia  
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autoimmune disease   A condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against an individual's own tissues (prefix auto means "self")  
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Cooley anemia   A form of thalassemia (hereditary anemia) that affects production of the β (beta) hemoglobin chain; thalassemia major  
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delayed hypersensitivity reaction   An allergic reaction involving T cells that takes at least 12 hours to develop; examples are various types of contact dermatitis, such as poison ivy or poison oak; the tuberculin reaction (test for TB); and rejections of transplanted tissue  
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disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)   Widespread clot formation in the microscopic vessels; may be followed by bleeding caused by depletion of clotting factors  
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ecchymosis   A collection of blood under the skin caused by leakage from small vessels (root chym means "juice")  
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hemolysis   The rupture of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin (adjective: hemolytic)  
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hemophilia   A hereditary blood disease caused by lack of a clotting factor resulting in abnormal bleeding  
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hemorrhagic anemia   Anemia that results from blood loss, as from an injury or internal bleeding  
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human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)   The virus that causes AIDS  
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Hodgkin disease   A neoplastic disease of unknown cause that involves the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other tissues; characterized by the presence of giant Reed-Sternberg cells  
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hypersensitivity   An immunologic reaction to a substance that is harmless to most people; allergy  
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immunodeficiency   A congenital or acquired failure of the immune system to protect against disease  
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intrinsic factor   A substance produced in the stomach that aids in the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12, necessary for the manufacture of red blood cells; lack of intrinsic factor causes pernicious anemia  
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Kaposi sarcoma   Cancerous lesion of the skin and other tissues, seen most often in patients with AIDS  
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leukemia   Malignant overgrowth of immature white blood cells; may be chronic or acute; may affect bone marrow (myelogenous leukemia) or lymphoid tissue (lymphocytic leukemia)  
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lymphadenopathy   Any disease of the lymph nodes  
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multiple myeloma   A tumor of the blood-forming tissue in bone marrow  
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non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)   A widespread malignant disease of lymph nodes that involves lymphocytes; it differs from Hodgkin disease in that giant Reed-Sternberg cells are absent  
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nutritional anemia   Anemia resulting from a dietary deficiency, usually of iron, vitamin B12, or folate  
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Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)   An abnormal chromosome found in the cells of most individuals with chronic granulocytic (myelgenous) leukemia  
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pernicious anemia   Anemia caused by failure of the stomach to produce intrinsic factor, a substance needed for the absorption of vitamin B12; this vitamin is required for the formation of erythrocytes  
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petechiae   Pinpoint, flat, purplish-red spots caused by bleeding within the skin or mucous membrane (singular: petechia)  
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purpura   A condition characterized by hemorrhages into the skin, mucous membranes, internal organs, and other tissues (from Greek word meaning "purple"); thrombocytopenic purpura is caused by a deficiency of platelets  
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sickle cell anemia   A hereditary anemia caused by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin; red blood cells become sickle-shaped when they give up oxygen and interfere with normal blood flow to the tissues; most common in black populations of West African descent  
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sideroblastic anemia   Anemia caused by inability to use available iron to manufacture hemoglobin; the excess iron precipitates in normoblasts (developing red blood cells)  
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Sjögren syndrome   An autoimmune disease involving dysfunction of the exocrine glands and affecting secretion of tears, saliva, and other body fluids; deficiency leads to dry mouth, tooth decay, corneal damage, eye infections, and difficulty in swallowing  
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splenomegaly   Enlargement of the spleen  
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systemic lupus erythematosus   Inflammatory connective tissue disease affecting the skin and multiple organs; patients are sensitive to light and may have a red butterfly-shaped rash over the nose and cheeks  
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systemic sclerosis   A diffuse connective tissue disease that may have involve any system causing inflammation, degeneration, and fibrosis; also called scleroderma because it causes thickening of the skin  
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thalassemia   A group of hereditary anemias mostly found in populations of Mediterranean descent (the name comes from the Greek word for "sea")  
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thrombocytopenia   A deficiency of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood  
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urticaria   A skin reaction consisting of round, raised eruptions (wheals) with itching; hives  
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adrenaline   A powerful stimulant produced by the adrenal gland and sympathetic nervous system; activates the cardiovascular, respiratory, and other systems needed to meet stress; used as a drug to treat severe allergic reactions and shock; also called epinephrine  
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CD4+ T lymphocyte count   A count of the T cells that have the CD4 receptors for the AIDS virus (HIV); a count of less than 200/mcL of blood signifies severe immunodeficiency  
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epinephrine   A powerful stimulant produced by the adrenal gland and sympathetic nervous system; activates the cardiovascular, respiratory, and other systems needed to meet stress; used as a drug to treat severe allergic reactions and shock; also called adrenaline  
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reticulocyte counts   Blood counts of reticulocytes, a type of immature red blood cell; reticulocyte counts are useful in diagnosis to indicate the rate of erythrocyte formation  
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Reed-Sternberg cells   Giant cells that are characteristic of Hodgkin disease; they usually have two large nuclei and are surrounded by a halo  
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agglutination   The clumping of cells or particles in the presence of specific antibodies  
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bilirubin   A pigment derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin and eliminated by the liver in bile  
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complement   A group of plasma enzymes that interacts with antibodies  
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corpuscle   A small mass or body; a blood corpuscle is a blood cell  
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hemopoietic stem cell   A primitive bone marrow cell that gives rise to all varieties of blood cells  
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heparin   A substance found throughout the body that inhibits blood coagulation; an anticoagulant  
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plasmin   An enzyme that dissolves clots; also called fibrinolysin  
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thrombin   The enzyme derived from prothrombin that converts fibrinogen to fibrin  
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agranulocytosis   A condition involving a decrease in the number of granulocytes in the blood; also called granulocytopenia  
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erythrocytosis   Increase in the number of red cells in the blood; may be normal, such as to compensate for life at high altitudes, or abnormal, such as in cases of pulmonary or cardiac disease  
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Fanconi syndrome   Congenital aplastic anemia that appears between birth and 10 years of age; may be hereditary or caused by damage before birth, as by a virus  
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graft versus host reaction (GVHR)   An immunologic reaction of transplanted lymphocytes against tissues of the host; a common complication of bone marrow transplantation  
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hairy cell leukemia   A form of leukemia in which cells have filaments making them look hairy  
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hematoma   A localized collection of blood, usually clotted, caused by a break in a blood vessel  
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hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), erythoblastosis fetalis   Disease that results from incompatibility between the blood of a mother and her fetus, usually involving Rh factor; an Rh-negative mother produces antibody to an Rh-positive fetus that will destroy the red cells of an Rh-positive fetus in later births  
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hemosiderosis   A condition involving the deposition of an iron-containing pigment (hemosiderin) mainly in the liver and the spleen; the pigment comes from hemoglobin released from disintegrated red blood cells  
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idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)   A clotting disorder caused by destruction of platelets that usually follows a viral illness; causes petechiae and hemorrhages into the skin and mucous membranes  
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infectious mononucleosis   An acute infectious disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); characterized by fever, weakness, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and atypical lymphocytes (resembling monocytes)  
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lymphocytosis   An increase in the number of circulating lymphocytes  
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myelodysplastic syndrome   Bone marrow dysfunction resulting in anemia and deficiency of neutrophils and platelets; may develop in time into leukemia; preleukemia  
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myelofibrosis   Condition in which bone marrow is replaced with fibrous tissue  
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neutropenia   A decrease in the number of neutrophils with increased susceptibility to infection; causes include drugs, irradiation, and infection; may be a side effect of treatment for malignancy  
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pancytopenia   A decrease in all cells of the blood, as in aplastic anemia  
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polycythemia   Any condition in which there is a relative increase in the percent of red blood cells in whole blood; may result from excessive production of red cells due to oxygen lack, as caused by high altitudes, an obstruction, heart failure, or certain poisons  
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apparent polycythemia   A condition which results from concentration of the blood, as by dehydration  
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polycythemia vera   A condition in which overactive bone marrow produces too many red blood cells that interfere with circulation and promote thrombosis and hemorrhage; treated by blood removal; also called erythremia and Vaquez-Osler disease  
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septicemia   Presence of microorganisms in the blood  
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spherocytic anemia   Hereditary anemia in which red blood cells are round instead of disk shaped and rupture (hemolyze) excessively  
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thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)   An often fatal disorder in which multiple clots form in blood vessels  
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von Willebrand disease   A hereditary bleeding disease caused by lack of von Willebrand factor, a substance necessary for blood clotting  
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Bence Jones protein   A protein that appears in the urine of patients with multiple myeloma  
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Coombs test   A test for detection of antibodies to red blood cells, such as those appearing in cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemias  
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electrophoresis   Separation of particles in a liquid by application of an electrical field; used to separate components of blood  
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ELISA   Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; a highly sensitive immunologic test used to diagnose HIV infection, hepatitis, and Lyme disease, among others  
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monoclonal antibody   A pure antibody produced in the laboratory; used for diagnosis and treatment  
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pH   A scale that measures the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution; represents the amount of hydrogen ion in the solution  
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Schilling test   Test used to determine absorption of vitamin B12, measuring excretion of radioactive B12 in the urine; used to distinguish pernicious from nutritional anemia  
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seroconversion   The appearance of antibodies in the serum in response to a disease or an immunization  
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Western blot assay   A very sensitive test used to detect small amounts of antibodies in the blood  
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Wright stain   A commonly used blood stain  
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anticoagulant   An agent that prevents or delays blood coagulation  
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antihistamine   A drug that counteracts the effects of histamine and is used to treat allergic reactions  
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apheresis   A procedure in which blood is withdrawn, a portion is separated and retained, and the remainder is returned to the donor; apheresis may be used as a suffix with a root meaning the fraction retained, such as plasmapheresis, leukapheresis  
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autologous blood   A person's own blood; may be donated in advance of surgery and transfused if needed  
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cryoprecipitate   A sediment obtained by cooling; the fraction obtained by freezing blood plasma contains clotting factors  
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desensitization   Treatment of allergy by small injections of the offending allergen, causing an increase of antibody to destroy the antigen rapidly on contact  
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homologous blood   Blood from animals of the same species, such as human blood used for transfusion from one person to another; blood used for transfusions must be compatible with the recipient's blood  
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immunosuppression   Depression of the immune response; may be correlated with disease but also may be induced therapeutically to prevent rejection in cases of tissue transplantation  
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protease inhibitor   An anti-HIV drug that acts by inhibiting an enzyme the virus needs to multiply  
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Ab   Antibody  
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Ag   Antigen, also silver  
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AIDS   Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome  
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ALL   Acute lymphoblastic (lymphocytic) leukemia  
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AML   Acute myeloblastic (myelogenous) leukemia  
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APC   Antigen-presenting cell  
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APTT   Activated partial thromboplastin time  
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BT   Bleeding time  
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CBC   Complete blood count  
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CGL   Chronic granulocytic leukemia  
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CLL   Chronic lymphocytic leukemia  
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CML   Chronic myelogenous leukemia  
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crit   Hematocrit  
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DIC   Disseminated intravascular coagulation  
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Diff   Differential count  
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EBV   Epstein-Barr virus  
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ELISA   Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay  
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EPO, EP   Erythropoietin  
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ESR   Erythrocyte sedimentation rate  
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FFP   Fresh frozen plasma  
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Hb, HgB   Hemoglobin  
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Hct, Ht   Hematocrit  
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HDN   Hemolytic disease of the newborn  
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HIV   Human immunodeficiency virus  
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IF   Intrinsic factor  
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Ig   Immunoglobulin  
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ITP   Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura  
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lytes   Electrolytes  
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MCH   Mean corpuscular hemoglobin  
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MCHC   Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration  
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mcL   Microliter  
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mcm   Micrometer  
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MCV   Mean corpuscular volume  
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MDS   Myelodysplastic syndrome  
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mEq   Milliequivalent  
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NHL   Non-Hodgkin lymphoma  
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PCV   Packed cell volume  
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pH   Scale for measuring hydrogen ion concentration (acidity or alkalinity)  
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Ph   Philadelphia chromosome  
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PMN   Polymorphonuclear (neutrophil)  
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poly, polymorph, seg   Neutrophil  
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PT   Prothrombin time; pro time  
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PTT   Partial thromboplastin time  
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RBC   Red blood cell; red blood (cell) count  
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SLE   Systemic lupus erythematosus  
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T(C)T   Thrombin (clotting) time  
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TTP   Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura  
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vWF   von Willebrand factor  
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WBC   White blood cell; white blood (cell) count  
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