Prefixes
This prefix meaning 'white' is found in the term for white blood cells.
Leuko-
This suffix meaning 'blood condition' is found in both anemia and leukemia.
-emia
This word root meaning 'blood' is the basis for hematology and hematoma.
Hemat/o
A condition where the blood has too few red blood cells or insufficient hemoglobin, causing fatigue and pallor.
Anemia
This abbreviation stands for the common blood panel that measures red cells, white cells, and platelets.
CBC- Complete blood count
Relating to the body's immune system and its ability to resist disease.
Immuno-
This suffix meaning 'cell' appears in erythrocyte and leukocyte.
-cyte
This word root refers to the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Hem/o
This cancer of the blood is characterized by uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells.
Leukemia
Hgb or Hb is the abbreviation for this oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.
Hemoglobin
Indicates conditions related to coagulation or obstruction
Thrombo-
Deficiency of cells
-penia
A white blood cell that contains granules, involved in immune response
Granul/o
A hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factors, most commonly factor VIII or IX.
Hemophilia
This abbreviation refers to the immune cells that include T-cells and B-cells, both key players in adaptive immunity.
WBC/Lymphocytes
This prefix meaning 'self' describes when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.
Auto-
This suffix meaning 'formation or production' describes the process of blood cell development in the bone marrow.
-poiesis
The study of blood serum, often used to detect antibodies and diagnose disease
Ser/o
This condition occurs when HIV destroys enough CD4+ T-cells that the immune system can no longer fight off infections and certain cancers.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
This abbreviation refers to any foreign substance that triggers an immune response when it enters the body
Ag- Antigen
This prefix meaning 'many' or 'much' appears in the WBC with a segmented, multi-lobed nucleus.
Poly-
This suffix meaning 'attraction to' explains why neutrophils stain with neutral dyes.
-Phil
This word root meaning 'to eat' is found in phagocyte — the cell type that destroys bacteria and debris.
Phag/o
This cancer of the lymphatic system affects lymphocytes and can spread throughout the body, unlike its counterpart which is identified by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
ABO and Rh are the two main systems used to classify this which are critical for safe transfusions.
Blood type/ Blood gorup