Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characterized by megaloblasts: Pertaining to abnormally large, immature red blood cell precursors (megaloblasts) found in the bone marrow, typically due to a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folic acid.

Usage

• The term "megaloblastic" is primarily used in medical and hematological contexts to describe a specific type of abnormal blood cell formation (erythropoiesis) and the anemia it causes.
• It is commonly used to modify nouns such as "anemia," "change," or "marrow."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The patient's blood smear showed megaloblastic changes, indicating a possible vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Pernicious anemia is a classic cause of megaloblastic anemia.
  • A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the presence of megaloblastic erythropoiesis.

Advanced Usage

• "Megaloblastic process": Refers to the pathological sequence in the bone marrow where DNA synthesis is impaired, leading to the production of megaloblasts.
  • The hematologist explained the megaloblastic process underlying the patient's symptoms.

Variants and Related Words

• Megaloblast (noun): The abnormal, large, nucleated precursor cell.
  • The diagnosis was confirmed by finding megaloblasts in the bone marrow.
• Megaloblastosis (noun): The condition or state of having megaloblasts.
  • The marrow exhibited severe megaloblastosis.

Synonyms

• Macrocytic (in the context of anemia): While "megaloblastic" refers to the specific cell morphology, "macrocytic" describes the large size of the mature red blood cells (macrocytes) that result from this process. They are often used together but are not perfect synonyms.
  • Not all macrocytic anemias are megaloblastic.

Related Phrases / Terms

• Megaloblastic anemia: The specific type of anemia caused by impaired DNA synthesis, leading to the production of megaloblasts and macrocytes.
  • Folic acid supplementation is crucial for treating megaloblastic anemia caused by its deficiency.

Adjective

1. of or relating to megaloblasts