metaplastic anaemia
Học thuậtThân thiện
A doctor examines a blood slide showing metaplastic anaemia under a microscope.
Definition
- Noun:
- A specific type of pernicious anemia characterized by abnormal changes (metaplasia) in the various formed elements (cells) of the blood.
Usage
- This is a highly specialized medical term used in hematology (the study of blood). It describes a condition where the bone marrow produces blood cells that are abnormal in form and development.
- It is typically used in clinical diagnoses, medical literature, and discussions among healthcare professionals.
Examples
- The patient's blood smear showed immature and misshapen cells, leading to a diagnosis of metaplastic anaemia.
- Metaplastic anaemia is distinguished from other anemias by the presence of altered red and white blood cell precursors.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in a differential diagnosis to specify the nature of the bone marrow failure or dysfunction.
- It may be discussed in the context of its underlying causes, such as severe vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
Variants and Related Words
- Metaplastic anemia (US English spelling, without the 'ae' ligature).
- Pernicious anemia (noun): A broader category of anemia, often due to vitamin B12 deficiency, of which metaplastic anaemia is a specific type.
- Megaloblastic anemia (noun): Anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cell precursors, which can be present in metaplastic anaemia.
Synonyms
- There are no direct common-language synonyms. In a medical context, it may be described more generally as a severe dysplastic anemia or a form of pernicious anemia with cellular abnormalities.
Notes on Meaning
- The core concept is abnormal transformation (metaplasia) of blood cells. The prefix "meta-" indicates change, and "-plastic" refers to form or growth. Therefore, the term literally means "anemia with changed cell forms."
A doctor examines a blood slide showing metaplastic anaemia under a microscope.
Noun
- pernicious anemia in which the various formed elements in the blood are changed