Align-ju STUDENT
Glossary of terms associated with haematology
Anisocytosis – when red blood cells are unequal in size , commonly found in cases of anaemia .
Anucleate – when a cell does not have a nucleus .
Crenation – the formation of uneven-shaped red blood cells with scalloped edges .
EDTA – ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid . This is a colourless crystalline compound that acts as an anticoagulant in blood tubes used for haematology examination . It binds the calcium in the blood and interrupts the clotting process .
Erythrocytes – red blood cells .
Hypochromic – when red blood cells have less colour than normal , which could be due to reduced haemoglobin content .
Leucocytes – white blood cells that are part of the immune system .
Lymphoid – tissue responsible for producing lymphocytes and antibodies .
Macrocytes – red blood cells that are larger than normal .
MCV – mean corpuscular volume . This measures the average size and volume of a red blood cell .
Polychromatophil – refers to how red blood cells look when they take up more stain due to an increased number of reticulocytes .
Polychromasia – when there are more immature red blood cells present than normal , usually due to red blood cells being destroyed quicker than the body can replace them .
Regenerative anaemia – when the bone marrow acts appropriately in response to a reduced number of red blood cells by increasing production .
Reticulocytes – immature red blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow .
RBC – red blood cell . Schistocytes – irregular fragments of red blood cells .
Further reading
Pinches M . Clinical pathology in practice . In : Hotson Moore A , Rudd S . ( eds .) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Advanced Veterinary Nursing . 2nd ed . Gloucester : BSAVA Publications ; 2008 . p . 250 – 285 .
Metarubricytes – the most mature form of a nucleated red blood cell . The final stage of the development of red blood cells .
Microcytes – small red blood cells .
Monolayer – the zone between the body of the blood smear and the feathered edge .
Myeloid – a blood cell that originates from the bone marrow .
Normochromic – when red blood cells are normal in colour .
PCR – polymerase chain reaction . This is a lab technique used to make millions of copies of a particular section of DNA so it can be analysed to identify infectious agents and whether they are pathogenic .
REFERENCES
1 RCVS . Part B : Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses - Small animal . Available at : https :// www . rcvs . org . uk / setting-standards / accrediting-primary-qualifications / accrediting-veterinarynursing-qualifications / rcvs-day-one-competences-skills-andprofessional-behaviours-for / part-b-day-one-skills-for-veterinarynurses-small-animal /?&& type = rfst & set = true # cookie-widget [ Accessed 23 October 2023 ].
PCV – packed cell volume . This is a measurement of the proportion of blood that is made up of cells , and is usually expressed as a percentage .
Platelets ( thrombocytes ) – small anucleate cells , which help in the clotting process .
Volume 38 ( 6 ) • December 2023
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