Hematology Vocabulary

group of blood disorders involving either a reduction in number of circulating erythrocytes or amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells; results in decreased oxygen delivery to tissues.

any substance that prevents clot formation

severe form of anemia caused by loss of functioning red bone marrow; results in decrease in number of all blood cells; may require bone marrow transplant.

collecting and storing one's own blood to use to replace blood lost during surgery.

Blood specimen incubated to check for bacterial growth; if bacteria are present, they are identified and best antibiotic treatment is determined.

transfer of blood from one person to another.

removal of small sample of bone marrow by needle and examined for diseases such as leukemia or aplastic anemia.

patient receives red bone marrow donation after own bone marrow is destroyed by radiation or chemotherapy.

formation of blood clot

comprehensive blood test that includes red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), white blood cell differential, and platelet count.

commonly called floating clot; usually piece of thrombus breaks away and floats through bloodstream until it lodges in a smaller blood vessel and blocks blood flow.

blood test that measures rate at which red blood cells settle out of blood to form sediment in bottom of test tube; indicates presence of inflammatory disease.

blood test that measures volume of red blood ells within total volume of blood.

blood collection under skin by escaping into tissue from damaged blood vessel; commonly called bruise.

blood test that measures amount of hemoglobin present in given volume of blood.

inherited lack of a vital clotting factor, results in almost complete inability to stop bleeding.

anemia resulting when there is not enough iron to build hemoglobin for red blood cells.

cancer of leukocyte-forming red bone marrow; patient has large number of abnormal and immature leukocytes circulating in blood.

anemia resulting when digestive system absorbs insufficient amount of vitamin B12. vitamin B12 is necessary for erythrocyte production.

removal of blood specimen from vein for laboratory tests; also called venipuncture.

blood test that determines number of platelets in given volume of blood.

condition characterized by too many erythrocytes; blood becomes too thick to flow easily through blood vessels.

blood test that measures how long it takes for clot to form after prothrombin, a blood clotting protein, is activated.

blood test that determines number of erythrocytes in volume of blood; decrease may indicate anemia; increase may indicate polycythemia vera.

presence of bacteria or their toxins in bloodstream; commonly called blood poisoning.

machine that performs multiple blood chemistry tests automatically.

blood that has had formed elements and clotting factors removed.

inherited blood disorder in which erythrocytes take on an abnormal curved or "sickle" shape; cells are fragile and easily damaged resulting in anemia; occurs almost exclusively in persons of African descent.

inherited blood disorder in which body is unable to correctly make hemoglobin, resulting in anemia.

administering medication to dissolve blood clot and restore normal circulation

blood test that determines number of leukocytes in volume of blood; increase may indicate infection or leukemia; decrease may be caused by some diseases, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

blood test determines number of each type of leukocyte.