Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «H»:
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Hemolysis
Hemolysis: The destruction of red blood cells which leads to the release of hemoglobin from within the red blood cells into the blood plasma.
Etymology: The word "hemolysis" is made up of "hemo-", blood + "lysis", the disintegration of cells....
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Hemolytic
Hemolytic: Referring to hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells which leads to the release of hemoglobin from within the red blood cells into the blood plasma.
Hemolytic anemia, for example, is anemia ("low blood") due to the destruction (rather than the
underproduction) of red blood cells....
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Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia: Anemia due to the destruction (rather than
underproduction) of red blood cells. ...
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Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Hemolytic disease of the newborn: Abnormal breakup
of red blood
cells in the fetus or newborn. This is usually due to
antibodies made by the mother
directed against the baby's red cells. It is typically caused by
Rh incompatibility,
that is differences between the Rh blood group of the mother and...
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Hemolytic jaundice, congenital
Hemolytic jaundice, congenital: Known also as hereditary spherocytosis (HS), this is a genetic disorder of the red blood cell membrane clinically characterized by anemia, jaundice (yellowing) and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen).
In HS the red cells are smaller, rounder, and more fragile tha...
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Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Hemolytic uremic syndrome: A condition characterized by the breakup of red blood cells (hemolysis) and kidney failure. There is clumping of platelets (the blood cells responsible for clotting) within the kidney's small blood vessels with resultant ischemia (reduced blood flow) leading to the kidney ...
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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A rare,
cancer-like disorder in which both histiocytes and
lymphocytes start to proliferate and attack body tissues or
organs. It can be an inherited condition, or it can occur
as a result of immunosuppression (as in organ transplants)
or infection. Most pati...
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Hemophilia
Hemophilia: A group of inherited bleeding disorders in
which the ability of blood to clot is impaired. See: Hemophilia A; Hemophilia B. ...
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Hemophilia A
Hemophilia A: Classic hemophilia, due to profound
deficiency of factor VIII, a blood factor necessary to normal
clotting. The hemophilia A gene is on the X chromosome, so females
carry the gene. Each son of a female carrier stands a 50%
chance of receiving the gene and having hemophilia. Treatmen...
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Hemophilia B
Hemophilia B: Hemophilia due to deficiency of coagulation factor IX in the blood which results in prolonged oozing after minor and major injuries, tooth extractions, or surgery. There is renewed bleeding after the initial bleeding has stopped.
The gene for hemophilia B gene is on the X chromosome, ...
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Hemophilia carrier
Hemophilia carrier: A female carrying a mutant gene for hemophilia on one of her two X chromosomes and a normal allele on her other X chromosome. Hemophilia carriers have concentrations of clotting factor VIII or IX of about 50% of normal and, hence, decreased coagulability. However, if they have a ...
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Hemophilia heterozygote
Hemophilia heterozygote: See: Hemophilia carrier....
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Hemophobia
Hemophobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of blood. Sufferers of this very common phobia dread the sight of their own blood, the sight of the blood of another person or an animal, and sometimes printed or filmed images of blood or even thoughts of blood. Blood may remind them of their own vulnerab...
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Hemopoietic
Hemopoietic: See: Hematopoietic....
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Hemoptysis
Hemoptysis: Spitting or coughing up blood or
bloody-stained sputum. Pronounced he-MOP-ti-sis.
The word "hemoptysis" comes from the Greek "haima" for "blood" + "ptysis" meaning "a spitting" = a spitting of blood. The source of the blood is from the respiratory tract such as the airways (bronchi), tr...
