Erythroleukemia: An abnormal condition characterized by proliferation of
erythroblastic and myeloblastic cells.
Erythropenia: A decrease in the number of red cells in the blood.
Erythropoiesis: The production of erythrocytes.
Etiology: The theory of the causation of a disease.
Extravascular: Occurring outside the blood vessels.
Extrinsic: Originating outside of the particular area.
Fibril: A microscopic filament often composed of fibrin.
Fibrin: The end product of the clotting mechanism that forms a network of fibers that
enmesh the formed elements of blood.
Fibrinogen: The precursor of fibrin that is present normally in the plasma and
produced by the liver.
Fragility Test (Osmotic): A
test devised to
measure the resistance of
the erythrocytes
to break down (hemolyze) when subjected to varying concentrations of hypotonic salt
solutions.
Fulminating: Sudden and severe.
Golgi Apparatus: A meshwork of lipid containing fibrils within the cytoplasmic portion
of a cell.
Granulocyte: A white blood cell that contains specific cytoplasmic granules
(neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils); these granules are peroxidase positive.
Granulocytosis: The presence of increased numbers of granulocytes in the blood.
Granulocytopenia (Granulopenia): A decrease in the number of granulocytes in the
blood.
Granulopoiesis: The production of granulocytes.
Hemacytometer: A calibrated chamber in which blood cells are counted.
Hematin: A brown or blue-black amorphous iron substance that unites with globin and
forms hemoglobin.
Hematocrit: The packed cell volume (PVC) of red blood cells obtained by globin and
forms hemoglobin.
MD0853
A-4