hypochromic anemia
A doctor points to a blood smear slide showing hypochromic anemia under a microscope.
Noun: A type of anemia characterized by a deficiency in the hemoglobin content of the red blood cells, causing them to appear paler than normal (hypochromic) under a microscope. This condition results in a reduced capacity of the blood to carry oxygen.
This is a medical term used to describe a specific blood disorder. It is typically used in clinical, diagnostic, and academic contexts. * The blood test revealed a case of hypochromic anemia. * Iron deficiency is the most common cause of hypochromic anemia.
- Hypochromic microcytic anemia: A more specific term indicating the red blood cells are both pale (hypochromic) and smaller than normal (microcytic), commonly seen in iron deficiency.
- The patient's lab results were consistent with hypochromic microcytic anemia.
- Hypochromia (noun): The condition of having hypochromic red blood cells; the paleness of the cells themselves.
- The smear showed significant hypochromia.
- Hypochromic (adjective): Describing the characteristic paleness of the red blood cells.
- The hypochromic cells were clearly visible.
This term has a single, specific meaning in medical hematology (the study of blood). It does not have common non-medical definitions.
- Iron-deficiency anemia (Note: This is the most common of hypochromic anemia, but not a perfect synonym, as hypochromic anemia can have other causes, such as thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia.)
This is a technical medical term and is not used in idiomatic expressions.
A doctor points to a blood smear slide showing hypochromic anemia under a microscope.
- anemia characterized by a decrease in the concentration of corpuscular hemoglobin