Category: Bk-Bl

Removal of blood, usually by venipuncture (phlebotomy, venous blood sampling). Common term for blood sampling for laboratory analysis.

A test designed to detect if microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are present in blood. A sample of blood obtained using sterile technique is placed in a culture media and incubated in a controlled environment for 1 to 7 days. If microorganisms grow, they can be identified as to type and tested against different…

The calculated number of white or red blood cells (WBCs or RBCs) in a cubic millimeter of blood.

Blood clots are occasional but serious side effects of estrogen therapy. They are dose-related, that is, they occur more frequently with higher doses of estrogen. Estrogen therapy preparations (all of which carry this risk) include: esterified estrogens esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone estradiol estrogens (conjugated) and medroxyprogesterone estrogens conjugated The brand names of the estrogen therapy preparations carrying…

Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a thrombus. The process by which a blood clot forms is termed coagulation. A blood clot, or thrombus, is stationary within a vessel or the heart. If it moves from that location through the bloodstream, it is referred to as an embolus.

A mass of coagulated blood. A blood clot can block a major blood vessel, causing stroke or other problems.

A process designed to eliminate most pathogens — viruses, bacteria and fungi — from donated blood. The process is termed “pathogen inactivation.” It depends upon the fact that three components of blood that are given in transfusions — red blood cells to carry oxygen, platelets to help blood clot and plasma for clotting and other purposes — do not contain…

Blood cancer is a cancer that affects white blood cells found in the blood as well as the bone marrow where blood cells are made. In general, it can involve leukocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and bone marrow cells that are the precursors of the cancerous cells. The main categories of blood cancers are leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma.

A blister full of blood due to a pinch, bruise or repeated friction. A blister is medically termed a vesicle. One that is more than 5 mm in diameter is called a bulla. The word “blister” entered English in the 14th century. It came from the Middle Dutch “bluyster”, blister and was a modification of…

A place where blood is collected from donors, typed, separated into components, stored, and prepared for transfusion to recipients. A blood bank may be a separate free-standing facility or part of a larger laboratory in a hospital. Separation of blood: Typically, each donated unit of blood (whole blood) is separated into multiple components, such as red blood…