Glossary
Absolute
Neutrophil Count A measure of the actual number
of neutrophils present in the blood per unit volume.
Allergen
A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Anemia
Any condition involving a decrease in the hemoglobin level
of the blood below normal.
Antibody
A protein produced by the body's immune system to fight
infection or harmful foreign substances (antigens).
Aplastic
Involving the absence or defective development of a tissue
or organ.
Blast
Cells Immature cells that mature into various blood
cells.
Bone
Marrow Soft tissue occupying the inner cavities
of bones responsible for blood cell production.
Catabolize
To break down complex chemical compounds into simpler ones.
Complement
A system of serum proteins that work to help antibodies
destroy antigens.
Cytokines
Hormone-like proteins secreted by many different cell types
which regulate cell proliferation and function.
Cytopenia
A deficiency of cells in the blood.
Enzyme
A protein that acts as a catalyst to induce chemical changes
in other substances.
Erythrocyte
A mature red blood cell.
Febrile
Feverish involving an elevated body temperature.
Granulocyte
One of the three types of white blood cells (the others
being monocytes and lymphocytes), so called because they
have granules that contain enzymes that help fight infection.
Hematocrit
The percentage of a volume of blood occupied by red blood
cells.
Hematopoiesis
The production of blood cells.
Hemoglobin
The red blood cell protein-iron compound responsible for
transporting oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and carbon
dioxide from the cells to the lungs.
Hemolysis
Destruction of red cells in the blood stream.
Hemolytic
anemia A disorder characterized by chronic premature
destruction of red blood cells.
Hyperplastic
Involving an increased number of cells.
Hypersensitivity
An abnormal sensitivity to a stimulus.
Iron
Chelator A substance which binds iron and then
eliminates it from the body in the urine and stool.
Leukocyte
White blood cells, important in defending against infection
and clearing the body of harmful material, of which there
are several types: granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes.
Lymph
A clear, transparent filtrate of plasma that is collected
from tissues throughout the body and eventually flows to
the lymphatic system.
Lymphocyte
One of the three types of white blood cells (the others
being granulocytes and monocytes), and the primary cell
of the immune response, responsible for attacking antigens;
divided into two forms, B cells and T cells.
Pancytopenia
A deficiency of all types of blood cells.
Petechiae
Pinpoint hemorrhagic spots in the skin.
Plasma
The fluid (noncellular) portion of the circulating blood.
Platelet
The smallest cells in the blood, essential for blood clotting.
Stem
Cells Cells that give rise to any of the different
blood cells.
Thrombocytopenia
A deficiency in the number of platelets.
Vital
Signs The temperature, pulse, respiration, and
blood pressure.
Online
Medical Dictionaries
ADAM
Medical Encyclopedia
CancerWeb Online
Medical Dictionary
ACOR Cancer Glossary
Yale
Medical Library Dictionary List
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