Core Haematology - Introduction (34) Flashcards
Haematology
Biology and pathology of cells that normally circulate in the blood
Haemopoiesis
Physiological developmental process that gives rise to cellular components of blood
Haemopoietic stem cell
Differentiation potential for all lineages, high proliferative potential, self renewal, long term activity
2 Haemopoietic lineages
- Myeloid
2. Lymphoid
Myeloid
Granulocytes (WBC), erythrocytes (RBC), platelets
Lymphoid
B and T cells (WBC)
RBC life span
120 days
Neutrophil life span
6-10 hours
What day of embryology does haemopoiesis start?
Day 27
Where does haemopoiesis start?
Aorta gonad mesonephros region (expands rapidly day 35, then disappear day 40 > foetal liver)
Blood cell function
O2 transport, coagulation, immune response to infection/abnormal cells (senescent, malignant)
RBC
Bi-concave discs, 7.5um diameter, contain Hb
Anaemia
Reduced RBC
Polycythaemia
Raised RBC
Relative polycythaemia
Plasma vol is reduced
Function of WBC/leukocytes
Immunity and host defence
Granulocytes
Cytoplasmic granules - neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
Neutrophils
Phagocytes, most common, live for few hours
Neutrophilia
Increased neutrophils (bacteria infection/inflammation)
Neutropenia
Decreased neutrophils (drug side effect)