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Файл:Ординатура / Хирургия / Библиотека им академика М.И. Перельмана / Книга_5535_Библиотеки_им_академика_М_И_Перельмана.pdf
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Geotrichosis: Infection of the lungs or bronchi, sometimes mouth and intestines, by a fungus
of the genus Geotrichum.
Giardiasis: The disease caused by Giardia lamblia.
Giemsa stain: A polychromatic stain used for staining blood cells and blood parasites.
Glabrous: Having or being a smooth even surface.
Gland: An organ capable of secretion.
Globin: The protein portion of the haemoglobin molecule.
Globulins: One of the plasma proteins; the others are albumin and brinogen. It is more
soluble in saline than in water.
Glomerular ltration rate (GFR): The rate by which glomerulus lters blood in nephron, the
functional unit of kidney. The GFR falls in case of renal failure.
Glomerulonephritis: Inammation of the glomeruli.
Glucose: The important sugar in the body. It is the only source of energy for most body cells
and is particularly needed for brain cells and erythrocytes. Glucose is also known as
dextrose and grape sugar.
Glucose dehydrogenase: Enzyme that converts glucose to gluconolactone and is used in
glucose analytical methods.
Glucose oxidase: An enzyme that converts glucose to gluconic acid and that is used in glucose
analytical methods.
Glucosuria: The presence of sugar in urine.
Glutaraldehyde: A compound that is used as a disinfectant and in xing biological tissues.
Glycolated haemoglobin (GHb): See Haemoglobin.
Glycogen: The storage form of glucose found in high concentration in the liver.
Glycogenesis: The process of conversion of glucose to glycogen; the process is insulin
dependent.
Glycolysis: Energy production mechanism as a result of metabolic breakdown of glucose.
Gonococcus: Another name for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causal agent of gonorrhoea.
Gonorrhoea: A contagious infection spread by sexual contact and caused by Neisseria
gonorrhoeae.
Gout: A painful condition in which blood uric acid is elevated and urates precipitate in joints.
Gravimetric analysis: Analysis based on weight.
Gram (g): The basic unit of mass in the metric system.
Gram-formula weight: The weight in grams of the entity represented by a chemical formula.
Gram negative: Designation for bacteria that lose crystal violet (purple stain) and retain
safranin (red stain) in the Gram stain procedure.
Gram positive: Designation for bacteria that retain crystal violet (purple stain) in the Gram
stain procedure.
Gram staining: A procedure for staining of bacteria which are then classied as Gram
negative or Gram positive.
Granulocytes: A special group of leukocytes which has granulation in the cytoplasm; includes
neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils.
Granulocytic leukaemia: Leukaemia caused by the increase of granulocytes.
Gut: The entire system that joins the mouth to the anus; stomach and intestines are part of
this system.
Medical Laboratory Technology: Volume 3
H
Haemacytometry: The technique of counting blood cells in a glass chamber with grids, by
means of a microscope.
Haemacytometer: An instrument used to count blood cells.
Heme: A prex meaning pertaining to blood; the iron-containing portion of the haemoglobin
molecule.
Glossary of Technical Terms
1267
Haemagglutination: Agglutination of red blood cells.
Haematocrit (Hct): It is also called packed cell volume or PCV. It is determined by centrifuging
anticoagulated (whole) blood for a specic time and with specied centrifugal force. It is
expressed in percent of packed red cell volume out of the whole blood volume.
Haematology: The study of blood and blood-forming tissues.
Haematoma: A clinical condition indicating localized collection of extravascular blood.
Haematopoiesis: The formation and development of blood cells.
Haematuria: Presence of blood in urine.
Haemoconcentration: Increase in the concentration of cellular elements in the blood.
Haemoagellate: A agellate that is a blood parasite.
Haemoglobin: The red substance inside red blood cells; a conjugated protein with heme (iron
+ porphyrin) and globin; carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
Haemoglobin A1c: Haemoglobin modied by the binding of glucose to the beta globin chains
of haemoglobin; also called glycated or glycosylated haemoglobin.
Haemoglobinuria: Presence of haemoglobin in urine.
Haemogram: A systematic report of the ndings from a blood examination.
Haemolysis: Rupture or destruction of red blood cells resulting in the release of haemoglobin.
Haemolytic anaemia: A type of anaemia due to destruction of red blood cells.
Haemolytic disease of newborn (HDN): Occurs in newborn babies with jaundice, caused by
the transfer of immune antibody from the mother to the foetus; also called erythroblastosis
foetalis.
Haemophilia: A bleeding disorder resulting from a hereditary coagulation factor deciency
or dysfunction.
Hemopoiesis: The process of blood cell formation and development; haematopoiesis.
Haemosiderin: An insoluble form of tissue storage iron which can be seen under microscope
following special staining with Prussian blue stain; presence in urine may indicate
possible haemolytic reaction within the body; presence in bone marrow may indicate
non-utilization of iron in haemoglobin synthesis.
Haemostasis: The arrest of bleeding either by vasoconstriction or by coagulation.
Haemorrhage: Uncontrolled bleeding.
Ham’s test: A haematological test that indicates whether the erythrocytes of the patient can
stand the acid condition; diagnoses paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH).
Heinz bodies: Abnormal red cell inclusion bodies found in haemolytic anaemia and other
blood disorders.
Helminth: A group of parasitic worms, multicellular; most members have a clearly dened
sexual life cycle.
HEPA lter: High-eciency particulate air lter used in biological safety cabinets.
Heparin: A natural anticoagulant, which is basically a mucopolysaccharide, used in exchange
transfusion.
Heparinize: To treat with heparin.
Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Hepatitis: Inammation of the liver.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV): The virus that causes hepatitis B infection and is transmied by
contact with infected blood or other body uids.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV): The virus that causes hepatitis C infection and is transmied by
contact with infected blood or other body uids.
Hepatotoxic: Causing or related to injuries to the liver.
Heterophile antibodies: Antibodies that are increased in infectious mononucleosis.
Hexokinase: An enzyme that converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate and that is used in
glucose analytical methods.
Histamine: Found in all body tissues; related to vasoconstriction (stoppage of bleeding) and
allergic reactions.
Histology: The study of the structure of tissues.
Histocompatibility testing: Performance of assays to determine if donor and recipient tissues
are compatible.
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Medical Laboratory Technology: Volume 3
Histogram: A graph that illustrates the size and frequency of occurrence of articles being
studied.
HIV: Human immunodeciency virus, a retrovirus that has been identied as the cause of
acquired immunodeciency syndrome (AIDS).
Holoblastic: Characterized by complete divisions that divide the whole egg into separate,
distinct blastomeres.
Homeostasis: The tendency towards steady state or equilibrium of body processes.
Homo: Prex denoting the same; for example, homozygous.
Homogentisic acid: An acid in the urine due to incomplete oxidation of tyrosine; presence in
urine is abnormal; if found in infant’s urine, may lead to mental disorders unless properly
treated; also called alkaptone.
Hookworm: A small worm that lives in the small gut; a nematode.
Hormone: A chemical substance found in the body that has a regulatory function; as an
example, insulin is a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.
Host: An organism that harbors or nourishes another organism.
Howell-Jolly bodies: Abnormal inclusion bodies found in erythrocytes in case of erythrocyte-
related disorders.
HPF (high power eld): It is the objective of a microscope with 40× magnication; also called
high-dry.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): The hormone of pregnancy produced by the
placenta; also called uterine chorionic gonadotropin, uCG.
Human immunodeciency virus (HTV): The retrovirus that has been identied as the cause
of AIDS.
Human leukocyte antigen (HIA): Any of several antigens present on leukocytes and other
body cells that are important in transplant rejection.
Humoral immunity: Immunity in the body uid (in circulating blood); provided by B
lymphocytes and antibodies (Cellular immunity, on the other hand, is limited to cells
only.)
Hyaline: Glass-like, transparent, pale.
Hyaluronidase: In nature, hyaluaronidase enzymes (also referred to as spreading factor)
stabilize the ground substance of mammalian connective tissues (hyaluronic acid). They
are used to sensitize red sheep cells in some serological tests. These antigen-coated
sheep cells react with corresponding antibodies found in patient’s serum to give positive
agglutination reaction.
Hydrolysis: A biochemical reaction in which water molecules are taken in during the
decomposition process; for example, starch hydrolyzed to sugar.
Hygroscopic: Absorbs moisture from the environment (air); used as a desiccant; for example,
calcium chloride.
Hyper-: Denoting over or above; for example, hyperglycaemia.
Hyperglycaemia: Blood glucose levels above normal.
Hyperkalemia: Blood potassium levels above normal.
Hyperlipidaemia: Excessive amount of fat in blood.
Hypernatremia: Blood sodium levels above normal.
Hypersensitivity: State of reactivity in which the body reacts to a foreign agent more strongly
than normal.
Hypertonic: Having a greater salt concentration than the cell cytoplasm.
Hyphae: Filaments of fungi that give rise to mycelium, as found in mould.
Hypo-: Prex denoting under or below; opposite of hyper-; for example, hypoglycaemia,
hypokalemia, hypolidiaemia, hyponatraemia, etc.
Hypochromic: Staining less intensely than normal, more commonly applied to describe “poor
colored” (low haemoglobin) erythrocytes; common in iron deciency anaemia.
Hypoglycaemia: Blood sugar levels below normal.
Hypothyroidism: Thyroid function deciency.
Hypotonic: Having a smaller salt concentration than the cell cytoplasm.
Hypovolemia: Abnormally decreased volume of circulating blood.
Glossary of Technical Terms
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I
Icterus index: A scale to indicate the yellow color of the body uid (urine, plasma) under
conditions of jaundice.
Immune antibodies: Antibodies formed aer birth with known stimulation; opposite of
natural antibody; for example, anti-D (immune) and anti-A (natural).
Immunity: Defence against infection.
Immunization: The process of producing immunity to an antigen.
Immunize: To render immune.
Immunoassay: A diagnostic laboratory procedure using antigen-antibody reactions.
Immunoblot: A blot where a radioactively labelled antibody is used as the molecular probe.
Immunochromatography: A type of anity chromatography where antibodies are used in the
anity capture reaction on the solid support, in the mobile phase, or both. Note: Anity
chromatography is a method of separating biochemical mixtures based on a highly
specic interaction, such as that between antigen and antibody enzyme and substrate, or
receptor and ligand.
Immunocompetent: Capable of producing a normal immune response.
Immunocompromised: Having reduced ability or inability to produce a normal immune
response.
Immunodiusion: A technique used for detecting or measuring antibodies (immunoglobulins)
and antigens by their precipitation when diused together through a gel or other medium.
Immunoelectrophoresis: Electrophoretic separation of proteins followed by identication by
the formation of precipitates through specic immunologic reactions.
Immunouorescence: The labelling of antigens or antibodies with uorescent dyes.
Immunoglobulins (Ig): Antibodies; serum proteins that are induced by and react specically
with antigens (immunogens).
Immunohaematology: The study of human blood groups; also called blood banking or
transfusion services.
Immunologic reaction: Antigen and antibody reaction.
Immunology: The branch of medicine encompassing the study of the immune processes and
immunity; also known as serology.
Immunoprophylaxes: The prevention of a disease by the production of active or passive
immunity.
Immunosorbent: A preparation of antigen aached to a solid support or antigen in an insoluble
form, which adsorbs homologous antibodies from a mixture of immunoglobulins.
Immunosuppression: Suppression of the immune response by physical, chemical, or
biological means.
Incompatible blood: A term used in the blood bank when the donor’s blood does not match
with the recipient’s blood.
Incubation: The interval between exposure to infection and the appearance of the rst
symptom; in microbiology, it refers to the warm environment of the culture medium.
Infection: A pathological condition caused by growth of microorganisms in the host.
Infectious disease: Disease due to infection by pathogenic microorganism—viruses, bacteria,
mycotic agents or intestinal parasites.
Infectious mononucleosis: A contagious viral disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus.
Inammation: A non-specic protective response to tissue injury brought about primarily
by release of chemicals such as histamine and serotonin and action of phagocytic cells.
Inoculation: Process of transferring a population of microorganisms to a growth medium.
Inoculum: The substance used in inoculation, a small amount of microorganisms taken on an
inoculating loop or needle for transfer.
Insecticide: A chemical to kill insects.
Inspissation: A special process of sterilization with low heat; applied to serum of such
substances, which deteriorate on heating.
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Medical Laboratory Technology: Volume 3
Insulin: A pancreatic hormone; related to glucose metabolism; deciency leads to diabetes
mellitus.
Inter-: A prex denoting between or among; for example, Intercellular, meaning between the
cells.
Intermediate host: The host in which the asexual, immature, or larval form of the parasite is
found; for example, in tapeworm, the pig is the intermediate host.
Interpupillary: Extending between the pupils of the eyes.
Intoxication: Poisoning.
Intra-: Prex meaning within; for example, Intracellular, meaning within the cells.
Intravascular: Within the blood vessels.
Intrinsic factor: Related to a factor present within the stomach, the absence of which leads to
poor absorption of vitamin B12 or folic acid and results in pernicious anaemia.
lodophor: A complex of iodine and a surface-active agent that releases iodine gradually and
serves as a disinfectant.
Ion: A charged atom.
Ionized calcium: A mineral in the body that plays an important role in hemostasis.
Ion-selective electrode: An electrode manufactured to respond to the concentration of a
specic ion.
Iris diaphragm: Part of the condenser of a microscope which opens and closes to alter the
light reaching the object.
Iso-: Prex denoting equal; for example, isotonic solution, meaning equal osmotic pressure.
Isoagglutinin: An antibody which will agglutinate all red blood cells of the same species.
Isoantibody: An antibody produced by one individual that reacts with isoantigens of another
individual of the same species; for example, anti-A reacting with antigen A.
Isoenzyme: The variants of the same enzyme like lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme-LD1,
LD2 and others. These are oen separated by electrophoresis and their location on the
electrophoretogram is located by reacting with their common substrate (e.g. lactic acid or
pyruvic acid for LD).
Isolation technique (as applied to microbiology): Obtaining bacteria in pure culture by sub
culturing discrete colonies.
Isotonic: Having the same salt concentration as the cell cytoplasm.
Isotonic solution: A solution that has the same concentration of dissolved particles as the
solution or cell with which it is compared; for example, 0.85% sodium chloride has the
same osmotic pressure as red blood cells; also called “physiological saline”.
In vitro: Within laboratory.
In vivo: Within the living body.
J
Jae reaction: Reaction of creatinine with alkaline sodium picrate.
Jaundice: Yellow discoloration of skin due to an excess of bilirubin in the blood. Hepatic
jaundice, due to liver disorder; haemolytic jaundice, due to increased destruction of red
cells; obstructive jaundice, due to mechanical impediment in the ow of bile from the
liver to the duodenum.
K
Kala azar: Highly fatal infectious disease caused by Leishmania donovani, a blood parasite.
Karyosome: A mass of chromatin in cell nucleus; looks similar to a nucleolus.
Ketone bodies: Acetone, acetoacetic acid and betahydroxybutyric acid; products of increased
fat metabolism; grouped together as ketone bodies or ketones; related to ketosis, metabolic
acidosis, increased anion gap and diabetic acidosis.
Glossary of Technical Terms
Ketonuria: Presence of ketones in urine.
Ketosis: Excessive amount of ketone bodies accumulating in blood.
Kilo: Prex used to indicate one thousand (103) units.
Kirby-Bauer: A method related to antibiotic sensitivity test where the diameter of zone of
inhibition is measured in mm.
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L
Lactate dehydrogenase (LD or LDH): An enzyme widely distributed in the body that is
measured to assess liver function.
Lancet: A sterile, sharp-pointed blade used to perform a capillary puncture.
Larva: Immature stage of an invertebrate.
Latent: Dormant, in an inactive or hidden phase.
LDL cholesterol: Low density lipoprotein fraction of blood cholesterol; “bad” cholesterol.
LE factor: A factor (antibody) that develops in patients with lupus erythematosus
(an autoimmune disease); directed towards the protein from connective tissue (due to
degeneration) and the nucleus of polymorphonuclear cells.
Lectins: A group of haemagglutinating proteins, with antibody like character that comes
from plant seeds; anti-A is an example.
Leishmania: A protozoa responsible for the disease leishmaniasis. It is spread through sand-
ies.
Leishmaniasis: Infection with or disease caused by leishmanias.
Leprosy: A chronic disease due to infection with Mycobacterium leprae.
Leukaemia: A malignant blood disease in which there are too many white cells in the blood;
blood cancer.
Leukocyte: White blood cells, (“leuko” means white).
Leukocytosis: A clinical condition where the total white cell count is more than normal.
Leukopaenia: A clinical condition where the total white cell count is less than normal.
Leukopoiesis: Production of leukocytes, a component of haematopoiesis.
Levey-Jennings chart: A quality control chart used to record daily quality control values.
Lipaemic: Having a cloudy appearance due to excess lipid content; lipaemic serum aer meal.
Lipase: Enzyme that splits fat; produced by the pancreas as a digestive enzyme.
Lipid: A fat-like substance easily stored in the body as reserve fuel; fat is a lipid.
Lipoprotein: A complex lipid in conjugation with protein; the form in which lipids are
transported in blood.
Litre (L): Basic metric unit of volume equivalent to 1000 mL and weighs 1 kg.
Loop: A ring or circle of wire or string; used as an easily sterilizable spoon to transfer small
quantities (inoculum) of specimens in bacteriology.
Lumbar puncture: Puing a needle into the lower part of the arachnoid space to obtain
cerebrospinal uid (CSF).
Lymph: A transparent, alkaline uid that comes out of the capillaries and is taken back to the
blood through the lymphatic vessels.
Lymph nodes: Bean-shaped organs in the groins and in many other parts of the body where
lymph is ltered and in which lymphocytes are made.
Lymphoblast: The immature nucleated precursor of the mature lymphocyte.
Lymphocyte: A kind of white blood cell; lymphocytes and plasma cells produce globulins
(including immunoglobulins).
Lymphocytosis: An increase above the normal number of lymphocytes in the blood.
Lymphoma: A neoplastic disorder of lymphoid tissue.
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Lyophilize: Remove water from a frozen solution under vacuum; freeze-dry.
Lymphopoiesis: The formation of lymphocytes or lymphatic tissue.
Lyse: To burst and break open to dissolve.
Lysis: A breaking up or dissolution; for example, haemolysis is the disintegration of red blood
cells.
Lysozyme: A basic bacteriolytic protein that hydrolyzes peptidoglycan; present in saliva and
tears.
Medical Laboratory Technology: Volume 3
M
Macro-: Prex indicating large; opposite of micro.
Macrocytic: Having a larger-than-normal cell size.
Macrocytic anaemia: A type of anaemia in which abnormally large red cells are seen in the
blood; seen in pernicious anaemia.
Macrophages: A large mononuclear phagocytic cell, which is able to “eat” bacteria and other
small particles.
Maduromycosis: A chronic disease of the feet marked by swelling and deformity.
Malaria: A disease caused by a blood parasite (protozoa) of the Plasmodium genus.
Malignant: Cancerous; progressive; not benign.
Mantoux test: An intradermal test for hypersensitivity to tuberculin that indicates past or
present infection with tubercle bacilli.
Marrow: Short form of bone marrow.
Mean: The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values; the average.
Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH): Mean corpuscular haemoglobin; average red blood cell
haemoglobin; expressed in picograms (pg).
Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC): Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentra-
tion; comparison of the weight of haemoglobin in a red blood cell to the size of the cell
expressed in percentage or g/dL.
Mean cell volume (MCV): Mean corpuscular volume; average red blood cell volume; in a
blood sample, expressed in femtolitres (fL) or cubic microns (m3).
Media: The substrates on which the microbes are cultured in the laboratory. (Singular:
Medium)
Medullary: Pertaining to bone marrow.
Medical technology: Clinical laboratory science.
Medical laboratory technician (MLT): Clinical Laboratory technician.
Medical technologist (MT): Clinical laboratory scientist.
Megakaryocytes: Large cells in the bone marrow from which platelets are derived.
Megaloblast: An abnormal type of immature red cell.
Megaloblastic anaemia: An anaemia in which megaloblasts (immature red cells) are seen
in circulation; they are bigger in size than the normal red cells; also called macrocytic
anaemia; pernicious anaemia.
Melaena: A stool which is black or tarry-coloured because it contains blood that becomes
dark by acidic gastric juice.
Melanin: A dark pigment of skin, hair and certain tumours.
Meningitis: Inammation of the meninges, the covering of the brain.
Meningococcus: Another name for Neisseria meningitides.
Meniscus: The curved upper surface of a liquid in a container.
Merbromin: A green crystalline mercurial compound used as a topical antiseptic and
germicide in the form of its red solution.
Merthiolate: A preparation of thimerosal.
Metre (M): Basic metric unit of length or distance.
Metric system: A widely accepted system of measurement that recognizes litre (volume),
gram (weight) and degrees Celsius (temperature).
Glossary of Technical Terms
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MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration.
Micro-: Prex meaning small; for example, microcytic, or small red blood cells; also used as
prex to indicate one-millionth (10-6) of a unit.
Microaerophilic: Preferring a low concentration of oxygen.
Microcytic anaemia: Anaemia in which small red cells are produced. Example: Iron deciency
anaemia.
Microhaematocrit: A haematocrit performed in capillary tubes using a small quantity of
blood; packed cell volume (PCV).
Microhaematocrit centrifuge: An instrument that spins capillary tubes at a high speed to
rapidly separate cellular components of the blood from the liquid portion of the blood.
Micrometer: A ruled device for measuring small objects.
Micron (m): Lengthwise it is the thousandth part of a millimetre or a millionth part of a metre
(mm); millimicron or 10–9 m (old expression) is now replaced by the term nanometre (nm).
Microorganism: A small living microscopic organism; for example, virus, bacteria.
Microscope arm: The portion of the microscope that connects the lenses to the base.
Microscope base: The portion of the microscope that rests on the table and supports the
microscope.
Microtomy: The process of cuing thin sections of tissues by means of a microtome in order
to facilitate the microscopic observation of their internal structure.
Midstream urine: A urine sample collected from the mid-portion of a urine stream.
Mili-: Prex used to indicate one-thousandth (10–3) of a unit.
Millilitre (mL): One-thousandth part of a litre or 1 mL = 10–3 L.
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The minimum concentration of an antibiotic
required to inhibit the growth of a microorganism.
Molar solution: Solution containing one mole of solute per litre of solution.
Mole: Molecular weight in gram; millimole is the molecular weight in milligrams.
Molecular weight (MW): Weight of a molecule, when expressed in gram, is called gram
molecular weight or GMW or mole. It is the total of the atomic weights of all elements.
Example: molecular weight of water or H2O is 1+1+16 = 18.
Mono-: Prex meaning one. Example: mononuclear, with one nucleus.
Monochromator: A device that isolates a narrow portion of the light spectrum.
Monoclonal: Of one kind.
Monoclonal antibody: Antibody derived from a single cell line or clone.
Monocyte: A kind of white blood cell; largest with a single nucleus; convoluted or horse-
shoe-shaped nucleus.
Monomorphic: With a single morphological structure as against dimorphic, with two
morphological structures. This is more commonly referred to with mycotic agents.
Example: Dermatophytes or moulds are found only as lamentous form (monomorphic).
Monosaccharide: A simple sugar, like glucose, which cannot be further broken down into
other sugars.
Mordant: A substance that xes a dye or stain to an object; for example, iodine in Gram
staining.
Morphology: The form and structure of cells, tissues and organs.
Mucocutaneous: Involving or made up of both typical skin and mucous membrane.
Mucoprotein: A substance present in all connective and supportive tissues; a protein
combined with carbohydrate.
Mucus: A sticky white substance made by some epithelial cells.
Mutagen: A substance with the potential to make a stable change in a gene that can be passed
on to ospring.
Mycelia (s., mycelium): A mass of hyphae (hair-like) that makes up the vegetative body of
moulds.
Mycobacteria: The genus of bacteria causing tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and
leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae); acid fast staining is their characteristic feature.
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Mycology: The study of fungi.
Mycosis: Infection caused by fungi.
Mycoplasma: The smallest free-living group of bacteria that lack a cell wall and grow in the
absence of oxygen.
Myeloblast: A kind of very young white cell, which will grow to become a granulocyte
(neutrophil, basophil or eosinophil).
Myelocyte: An immature white cell of the myelocytic series; a granulocyte.
Myoglobin: A pigmented, oxygen-carrying protein found in muscle tissue.
Multiple myeloma: A disease also known as plasmocytic leukaemia where the plasma cells
are more in circulation; characterized by the presence of Bence-Jones protein in urine and
increased globulin concentration of serum.
Mycetoma: A condition identied by invasion of deep subcutaneous tissues with fungi or
actinomycetes.
Medical Laboratory Technology: Volume 3
N
Necrosis: Death of areas of tissue or bone surrounded by healthy cells; commonly applied to
bone.
Nematode: A roundworm.
Neo-: A prex meaning new growth. Example: neoplasm (cancer).
Nephelometry: Measurement of intensity of reected light using a nephelometer.
Nephritis: Inammation of the kidney.
Nephro-: Prex denoting kidney.
Nephron: Functional unit of kidney that consists of the glomerulus, tubules and collecting
ducts for the urine which passes to the urinary bladder.
Neurology: Study of the nervous system.
Neurotropic: Having an anity for or localizing selectively in nerve tissue.
Neutral: Neither acidic nor alkaline but between them both. Example: Distilled water is
neutral (pH 7.0).
Neutrophil: A neutral-staining leukocytes; also called polymorphonuclear cells (PMN);
usually the rst line of defense against infection.
Nodule: A small lump.
Non-protein nitrogen (NPN): Sum of all non-protein nitrogenous constituent of blood; urea,
creatinine, ammonia are some of the examples.
Normal ora: Microorganisms that are normally present at a specic site.
Normoblast: A young red cell with nucleus.
Normochromic: Having normal colour.
Normocytic: Having normal cell size.
Nosepiece: Revolving unit to which microscope objectives are aached.
Nosocomial infection: An infection acquired in a hospital or health care facility.
Nucleated red blood cell (NRBC): A red blood cell that has not yet lost its nucleus.
Nucleus: The central structure of a cell that contains DNA and controls cell growth and
function. (Plural: Nuclei)
O
Objective: Magnifying lens closest to the object being viewed with a microscope.
Occult: Concealed or hidden.
Ocular: Eyepiece of the microscope that contains a magnifying lens.
Ocular micrometer: Micrometer that ts in microscope eyepiece and that is used to measure
microscopic objects.
Oedema: Excessive uid in the tissues causing them to swell.
Glossary of Technical Terms
Oliguria: Decreased production of urine.
Operculated: Provided with a lid or cover (operculum). Eggs of certain parasitic worms such
as trematodes (except for schistosomes) have operculum.
Opportunistic parasite: An organism that causes disease only in immunocompromised hosts.
Oncotic: Pertaining to swelling.
Ornothine: A biochemical compound found in humans and many animals that participate in
urea synthesis, or ornithine cycle. The biochemical reactions of the ornithine cycle result
in the production of urea from ammonia.
Orthotolidine: A chemical that produces colour with chlorine.
Osmosis: A process whereby liquids of dierent concentrations, separated by a semi-
permeable membrane percolate and mix until their concentrations are equal.
Osmolality: Solute concentration of a uid measured in terms of osmotic pressure, which
increases with increased solute concentration.
Osmotic fragility: Bursting of erythrocytes due to osmotic pressure following endosmosis or
drawing in of water due to higher solute concentration inside the cell.
Ovum: An egg. (Plural: Ova)
Oxidation: Combination with oxygen or removal of hydrogen.
Oxyhaemoglobin: The form of haemoglobin that binds and transports oxygen.
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P
Packed cell volume (PCV): The percentage volume occupied by the packed red cells in whole
blood when the laer is centrifuged. It is also called haematocrit or, in short, crit.
Pancreas: A gland situated behind the stomach, between the spleen and duodenum that
secretes digestive enzymes (external secretions) into the digestive tract and insulin
(internal secretion) into the circulation.
Pancytopaenia: Abnormal depression of all cellular elements; common in case of aplastic
anaemia.
Pandemic: Widespread disease transmied person-to-person and occurring over an entire
country, continent, or even worldwide.
Parallax: A shi in the apparent position of an object due to a change in position of the
observer. Parallax error is introduced at the time of taking readings from pipees and
burees unless the eye is kept at the level of the uid.
Parasite: An organism that lives in or on another species and the expense of that species.
Parasitology: The study of parasites; oen it only means the study of worms and protozoa
infecting the intestinal tract.
Parfocal: Having objectives (of microscope) that can be interchanged without varying the
instrument’s focus.
Paroxysm(s): The cycles of chills and fever associated with malaria and that occur 36–72 h
apart, depending on the Plasmodium spp.
Partial thromboplastin: The lipid portion of thromboplastin, available as a commercial
preparation; formerly cephaloplastin.
Pathogen: Any disease-producing organism.
Pathogenic: Capable of causing damage or injury to the host.
Pathologist: A physician specially trained in the nature and cause of disease; associated with
clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods.
Pathology: Science dealing with changes in body tissues, organs and body uids due to
diseased conditions.
Pepsin: A gastric proteolytic enzyme which converts proteins into peptone in an acid medium.
Percent solution: A solution made by adding units of solute needed per 100 units of solution.