Blood Pathology Flashcards
Hematology
The branch of medicine specializing in treatment of diseases and conditions of the blood. Physician is a ‘hematologist.’
Blood Clot
The hard collection of fibrin, blood cells, and tissue debris that is the end result of hemostasis or the blood-clotting process
Coagulate
To convert from a liquid to a gel or solid, as in blood coagulation
Dyscrasia
A general term indicating the presence of a disease affecting blood
Hematoma
The collection of blood under the skin as the result of blood escaping into the tissue from damaged blood vessels. Commonly referred to as a ‘bruise.’
Hemorrhage
Rapid flow of blood
Hemophilia
Hereditary blood disease in which blood-clotting time is prolonged due to a lack of one vital clotting factor. It is transmitted by a sex-linked trait from females to males, appearing almost exclusively in males
Hyperlipidemia
Condition of having too high a level of lipids such as cholesterol in the bloodstream. A risk factor for developing atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease
Pancytopenia
Having too few of all cells
Septicemia
Having bacteria or their toxins in the blood-stream. Sepsis is a term that means putrefaction or infection. Commonly referred to as ‘blood poisoning.’
Anemia
A large group of conditions characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood; results in less oxygen reaching the tissues
Aplastic Anemia
Severe form of anemia that develops as a consequence of loss of functioning red bone marrow. Results in a decrease in the number of all the formed elements. Treatment may eventually require a bone marrow transplant
Erythrocytosis
The condition of having too many red blood cells
Erythropenia
The condition of having too few red blood cells
Hemolytic Anemia
An anemia that develops as the result of the destruction of erythrocytes
Hemolytic Reaction
The destruction of a patient’s erythrocytes that occurs when receiving a transfusion of an incompatible blood type. Also called a ‘transfusion reaction.’
Hypochromic Anemia
Anemia resulting from having insufficient hemoglobin in the erythrocytes. Named because the hemoglobin molecule is responsible for the dark red color of the erythrocytes
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Anemia resulting from not having sufficient iron to manufacture hemoglobin
Pernicious Anemia (PA)
Anemia associated with insufficient absorption of vitamin B-12 by the digestive system. Vitamin B-12 is necessary for erythrocyte production
Polycythemia Vera
Production of too many red blood cells by the bone marrow. Blood becomes too thick to easily flow through the blood vessels
Sickle Cell Anemia
A genetic disorder in which erythrocytes take on an abnormal curved or “sickle” shape. These cells are fragile and are easily damaged, leading to a hemolytic anemia
Thalassemia
A genetic disorder in which the body is unable to make functioning hemoglobin, resulting in anemia
Leukemia
Cancer of the white blood cell-forming red bone marrow resulting in a large number of abnormal and immature white blood cells circulating in the blood
Leukocytosis
The condition of having too many white blood cells