Hematology Glossary - Part 1 Flashcards
acute
refers to a disease that begins suddenly and/or progresses quickly. Example: acute myeloid leukemia.
allogeneic
refers to blood, stem cells, bone marrow, or other tissue that is transferred from one person to another (Example: allogeneic bone marrow transplantation)
anemia
a blood condition in which a person has decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, or red blood cells, or has red blood cells that do not function properly
antibody
a protein found in the blood that recognizes and binds to other substances (see “antigen” below). Helpful antibodies, such as those to viruses or bacteria, neutralize or destroy the target and prevent infection. Auto- or self-antibodies that work against a person’s own red blood cells or platelets may cause destruction of these important blood components and cause disease. Example: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Puprpura (ITP)
anticoagulant
a drug that decreases the blood’s ability to clot
antigen
a marker protein on cells of the body or foreign substances, such as a virus or bacteria (see “antobody” above)
artery
a muscular vessel that carries oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood under high pressure from the heart to other parts of the body
arterial thromboembolism
a clot that forms within an artery and may obstruct the flow of blood
autologous
refers to blood or other tissue derived from a person’s own body (Example: autologous bone marrow transplantation)
B lymphocyte
a type of white blood cell (also known as a B cell) that produces antibodies
basophil
a type of white blood cell that may increase with bone marrow damage, parasitic infections, or allergic reactions
benign
refers to a non-cancerous disease (Opposite: malignant)
bleeding disorder
the clinical problem that results when the blood does not clot properly
blood
the specialized fluid in your body that has many functions, including carrying oxygen and nutrients to other tissues, forming clots in response to injury, and carrying defensive cells and antibodies that fight infection
blood banking
the process of collecting, separating, and storing blood products
blood cancer
a condition (also known as a hematologic malignancy) that may affect the blood, bone marrow, or other hematopoietic organs. Normal blood production and function is typically interrupted by the uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell
blood smear/film
the glass slide on which doctors look at blood cells under the microscope to determine if their appearance and number are normal
blood transfusion
a procedure in which blood collected from a volunteer donor is transferred to another person
bone marrow
the soft, spongy tissue inside of bones where blood cells are produced
bone marrow transplantation
the transfer of healthy bone marrow cells into a person whose bone marrow is defective or has been damaged by chemotherapy or radiation (see allogeneic and autologous)
cancer
the clonal abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells
capillaries
the body’s smallest blood vessels, which connect arteries to veins
chemotherapy
a medical treatment for the destruction of cancer cells
chronic
refers to a slowly progressing disease; example: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (see “acute” above)
circulatory system
the heart and network of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood throughout the body
clinical trial
a research study involving human volunteers to evaluate new ways to prevent, diagnose, manage, or treat medical problems or diseases
clot
a clump of platelets and blood proteins (also known as a thrombus) that form a plug at the site of an injured blood vessel to prevent excessive bleeding. A clot may also form inside a blood vessel and block that vessel, which is called a thrombosis or a blood clot
coagulation
the process by which blood clots
complete blood count (CBC)
a test that provides information about the types and numbers of cells in one’s blood; health care professionals use the findings to diagnose conditions like anemia, infection, and other disorders
congenital
refers to a condition that is present at or before birth, even if there were no signs of the problem when the person was a child
cord blood stem cells
blood cells from the umbilical cord, collected when the baby is born, that have the unique property of self-renewal as well as the ability to develop into other types of cells; they may be used in stem cell transplants
deep vein thrombosis
a type of blood clot that forms in a major vein of the leg or, less commonly, in the arms, pelvis, or other large veins in the body
eosinophil
a type of white blood cell that mediates allergic reactions and defends the body from infection by parasites and bacteria
erythrocyte
also called the red blood cell; the most abundant cell in the blood whose primary role is to carry the protein hemoglobin that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and CO2 from the body back to the lungs
erythropoietin
a hormone produced primarily by the kidneys that controls the production of red blood cells
factor
a protein in the blood that is needed to form a blood clot