| Glossary of Terms |
| General
| Genetics
| Blood A-K
| Blood L-Z
| Pancreas
| Skeleton
| Growth &
Nutrition |
| |
| Blood Terms L-Z |
| Leukemia |
cancer of white blood cells with uncontrolled increase in total
white blood cell count. |
| Leukopenia |
low total white cell count. |
| Lymphocytes (T-cells or B-cells) |
cell of the immune system, critical for fighting infections. |
| Myelodysplastic Syndrome |
an abnormal development of the cells produced in the
bone marrow. This might be an abnormality in shape, size or organization
of adult cells. Abnormal proliferation of cells CAN progress to leukemia. |
| Neutropenia |
a low absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The count falls below 1500
per microliter. |
| Neutrophil (also known as Granulocyte) |
a mature white blood cell that fights bacteria infections. |
| Pancytopenia |
abnormally low number of all blood cells. |
| Petechiae |
tiny red dots on the skin due to bleeding under the skin. Usually
caused by low platelet count. |
| Phagocytosis |
engulfment and destruction of bacteria or cells by certain white
blood cells, including neutrophils. |
| Plasma |
a yellowish fluid in the bloodstream which contains various proteins
and other substances. Red cells, white cells and platelets are suspended
in plasma. |
| Platelets (also known as Thrombocytes)
|
blood cells that prevent bleeding and bruising. Normal counts range
form 150,000 to 400,000. The help to form a blood clot. |
| Platelet Aggregation |
the sticking of platelets to each other to form a clot. This can
be evaluated by laboratory testing. Abnormal results reflect an increased
tendency to blood, despite a normal platelet count. |
| Red Blood Cells (RBC) |
Small round cells that contain hemoglobin, which are necessary to
carry oxygen throughout the body. Red blood cells account for almost
half of your blood volume. |
| Sepsis |
infection of the blood stream or body tissues. Sepsis can be very
serious. |
| Severe Chronic Neutropenia |
when the ANC (absolute neutrophil counts) is below 500 |
| Stem Cells |
cells that make the platelets, red cells and white cells in the
marrow. |
| Stroma |
the supporting tissue of the bone marrow.
Thrombocytopenia – a condition in which the number of platelets is
less than 100,000 per microliter. Thrombocytopenia may increase the
risk of bleeding. |
| White blood cells (WBC) |
blood cells, which fight infections. The normal count is about
8,000. |
