HAEMATOCRIT Meaning and
Definition
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Haematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is a commonly used medical term that refers to the proportion of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in a given volume of blood. It is a crucial parameter used to evaluate and monitor hematological conditions and provide insights into the overall health and performance of the cardiovascular system.
Haematocrit is determined by centrifuging a blood sample in a specialized tube called a haematocrit capillary tube. Centrifugation causes the components of blood to separate based on their density, with red blood cells settling at the bottom due to their higher density. The resulting packed red blood cell volume is then measured and expressed as a percentage of the total blood volume.
Normal haematocrit levels differ between genders, with males typically having higher values due to natural variations in hormone levels and body composition. In males, the normal range is generally between 40-54%, while in females, it is typically between 37-47%. Deviations from these ranges can indicate various medical conditions, such as anemia, polycythemia, dehydration, or underlying cardiovascular issues.
Haematocrit is an essential component of a complete blood count (CBC), which is a routine blood test performed to assess overall blood health and to diagnose or monitor various conditions. Additionally, it is commonly used in athletic and sports medicine to evaluate the effects of high-altitude training, doping detection, or to determine an athlete's eligibility to participate in certain sports activities.
Common Misspellings for HAEMATOCRIT
- gaematocrit
- baematocrit
- naematocrit
- jaematocrit
- uaematocrit
- yaematocrit
- hzematocrit
- hsematocrit
- hwematocrit
- hqematocrit
- hawmatocrit
- hasmatocrit
- hadmatocrit
- harmatocrit
- ha4matocrit
- ha3matocrit
- haenatocrit
- haekatocrit
- haejatocrit
Etymology of HAEMATOCRIT
The word "haematocrit" has its roots in both Greek and Latin. "Haemato-" is derived from the Greek word "haima" meaning "blood", and "-crit" comes from the Latin word "criticus" which refers to "a separator". Thus, "haematocrit" can be broken down as "haema" meaning "blood" and "crit" meaning "separator". In medical terminology, "haematocrit" specifically refers to the percentage by volume of red blood cells in the blood, which is separated from the whole blood by centrifugation.
Similar spelling words for HAEMATOCRIT
- haematohiston,
- hematocyst,
- hematocrit,
- haematocele,
- haematosis,
- haematochezia,
- haematic,
- haematocoele,
- majority,
- haematocolpos,
- Haematogenic,
- democrat,
- haematocyturia,
- haematogenetic,
- haematoxylon,
- haematoxylum.
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