How Do You Spell ACANTHOCYTE?

Pronunciation: [ɐkˈanθəsˌa͡ɪt] (IPA)

Acanthocyte (ə.ˈkæn.θə.saɪt) is a medical term used to describe irregularly spiky red blood cells. This condition is usually associated with various types of anemias or blood disorders. The word acanthocyte is derived from Greek words "akantha" meaning thorn, and "kutos" meaning cell. The phonetic transcription of this word follows a pattern of a-sound followed by k-sound, TH-sound, and O-sound. The final part of the word is pronounced with an s-sound and a t-sound. Accurate spelling and pronunciation of medical terms are critical for healthcare professionals.

ACANTHOCYTE Meaning and Definition

1. An acanthocyte refers to a type of red blood cell (RBC) characterized by irregular and spiky projections or thorn-like outgrowths on its surface. Also known as spur cells or echinocytes, acanthocytes are typically seen in certain medical conditions and disorders, particularly those affecting the liver, kidneys, and blood.

   The irregular shape of acanthocytes is thought to be caused by an altered lipid metabolism or abnormal RBC membrane composition. This abnormality affects the flexibility and deformability of the RBC, leading to the development of spiky projections. Acanthocytes can be differentiated from other red blood cell anomalies, such as burr cells or crenated cells, by the specific arrangement and consistency of their projections.

   The presence of acanthocytes in a blood sample can be an indication of an underlying health issue. It can be associated with disorders like liver disease, abetalipoproteinemia, end-stage renal disease, or other rare genetic conditions such as neuroacanthocytosis and McLeod syndrome. In some cases, acanthocytes may also be observed in certain vitamin deficiencies or after blood transfusions.

   Diagnosing the presence of acanthocytes in a blood sample can be done through a blood smear examination under a microscope. This helps in identifying their distinct morphology and distinguishing them from other blood cell variations. Detection of acanthocytes aids medical professionals in determining potential underlying conditions and aids in further diagnostic investigations for the patient.

Common Misspellings for ACANTHOCYTE

• zcanthocyte
• scanthocyte
• wcanthocyte
• qcanthocyte
• axanthocyte
• avanthocyte
• afanthocyte
• adanthocyte
• acznthocyte
• acsnthocyte
• acwnthocyte
• acqnthocyte
• acabthocyte
• acamthocyte
• acajthocyte
• acahthocyte
• acanrhocyte
• acanfhocyte
• acanghocyte
• ccanthocyte

Etymology of ACANTHOCYTE

The word "acanthocyte" is derived from the Greek word "akantha", meaning "thorn" or "spine", and the suffix "-cyte", which generally refers to a cell. Therefore, "acanthocyte" literally means "thorn cell". This term is used in biology and medicine to describe a type of red blood cell with irregularly spaced, thorny projections on its surface, which may be associated with various health conditions.

Similar spelling words for ACANTHOCYTE

• acanthocephala,
• acanthaceae,
• acanthisitta,
• acanthosis,
• acanthocybium,
• acanthion,
• acanthoma,
• acanthous,
• accentor,
• acanthophis,
• accentuate,
• acanthotic,
• acantholysis,
• acanthus,
• acanthuridae,
• acanthoid,
• acanthocytosis,
• acanthocereus.

Plural form of ACANTHOCYTE is ACANTHOCYTES