| white blood cell | <haematology> White corpuscles in the blood. They are spherical, colourless and nucleated masses involved with host defenses. Normal white blood cell counts are variable with age and sex. Normal adult range is 4, 500 to 11,000 cells per cubic millimetre of blood. Slightly higher counts are seen in children. Elevated counts can be seen in cases of inflammation and infection. See: leucocytes, basophils, coelomocytes, eosinophils, haemocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes. Acronym: WBC (13 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| white blood cell cast | A urinary cast composed of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, characteristic of tubulointerstitial disease, especially pyelonephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| white blood cell count | <haematology> A laboratory test which measures the number of white blood cells per cubic millimetre of blood. Normal white blood cell counts are variable with age and sex. Normal adult range is 4, 500 to 11,000 cells per cubic millimetre of blood. Slightly higher counts are seen in children. Elevated counts can be seen in cases of inflammation and infection. (13 Nov 1997) |
| white blood cell differential | <haematology> The white blood cell differential is a percentage of each type of white blood cell based on a count of 100 white cells. A change in the white blood cell type (to neutrophils or bands) can indicate a bacterial infection. Neutrophils, bands, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils are all included. (13 Nov 1997) |
| white blood cells | White blood cells (WBCs) are cells which circulate in the blood and lymphatic system and harbor in the lymph glands and spleen. They are part of the immune system responsible for both directly (t cells and macrophages) and indirectly (B-cells producing antibodies) attacking foreign invaders of the body. (12 Dec 1998) |
| whole blood | <haematology> Blood that has not been separated into its various components. (13 Nov 1997) |
| whole blood coagulation time | Measurement of the time required by whole blood to produce a visible clot. Factors that could influence the test are all but III, vii, and xiii. Activation may be by contact with the glass tube or exposure to diatomaceous earth. Delay of onset of coagulation may be achieved by use of nonwettable plastic or silicone-coated glass tubes. It is used for monitoring heparin therapy and as a bedside screening test for deficiencies in the intrinsic coagulation pathway. "activated coagulation time" is sometimes referred to as act. (12 Dec 1998) |
| complete blood count | <haematology, investigation> The number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are present in the patients sample of blood is determined. most common test done on the blood. Acronym: CBC Synonym: full blood count. (16 Mar 1998) |
| concentrated human red blood corpuscle | Corpuscle prepared from one or more preparations of whole human blood which are not more than 14 days old and each of which has already been directly matched with the blood of the intended recipient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cord blood | Blood taken post partum from the umbilical cord. (18 Nov 1997) |
| half blood | 1. The relation between persons born of the same father or of the same mother, but not of both; as, a brother or sister of the half blood. See Blood, 2 and 4. 2. A person so related to another. 3. A person whose father and mother are of different races; a half-breed. In the 2d and 3d senses usually with a hyphen. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| private blood group | A blood group that is known to have occurred in only one family and is traceable to one single person. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Schilling's blood count | A method of counting blood in which the polymorphonuclear neutrophils are separated into four groups according to the number and arrangement of the nuclear masses in these cells. Synonym: Schilling's index. (05 Mar 2000) |
| high blood cholesterol | A condition where there is an above normal level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. A level of over 200 mg/dl is known to be a risk factor for heart disease. Less than 200 is desirable, 200 to 239 is considered borderline high, over 240 is considered high. (27 Sep 1997) |
| high blood pressure | <cardiology> Persistently high arterial blood pressure. Hypertension may have no known cause (essential or idiopathic hypertension) or be associated with other primary diseases (secondary hypertension). This condition is considered a risk factor for the development of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke and kidney disease. (29 Sep 1997) |