Word: Neutropenia
Definition: Neutropenia is a medical term that refers to a condition where someone has a lower than normal number of neutrophils in their blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that helps our body fight off infections. When a person has neutropenia, they may be more vulnerable to infections because they don’t have enough of these important cells.
Usage Instructions:
- Part of Speech: Neutropenia is a noun. - When to Use: You would use the word "neutropenia" when discussing health, medicine, or biology, especially in contexts related to blood cell counts and immune system health.
Example Sentence: "The doctor diagnosed her with neutropenia after her blood tests showed a low count of neutrophils."
Advanced Usage:
In medical contexts, neutropenia can be classified further into different types based on severity: - Mild Neutropenia: Slightly lower than normal neutrophil levels. - Moderate Neutropenia: A more significant drop in neutrophil levels. - Severe Neutropenia: Very low levels that can lead to serious health risks.
Word Variants:
- Neutrophil (noun): The type of white blood cell that is decreased in neutropenia. - Neutrophilic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of neutrophils.
Different Meaning:
While "neutropenia" specifically refers to low neutrophil counts, it does not have other meanings outside of a medical context.
Synonyms:
- Low neutrophil count - Neutrophil deficiency
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "neutropenia," but in a medical context, you might hear phrases like: - "Fight off infections" (to resist or recover from infections). - "Run a blood test" (to conduct a laboratory examination of blood).
Summary:
Neutropenia is an important medical term that indicates a health issue related to the immune system. Understanding this word can help individuals recognize its significance in discussions about health and disease prevention.