LEUCOCYTOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Leucocytosis is a medical term used to describe a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) circulating in the bloodstream. White blood cells play a crucial role in the body's immune system as they help to combat infections and diseases.
Leucocytosis can be a physiological response to various factors, such as infection, inflammation, or physical stress. It is often identified through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the different types of blood cells present in a sample. A normal white blood cell count typically ranges between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter of blood. Leucocytosis is diagnosed when the count exceeds this normal range.
The condition can be further classified into several subtypes based on the specific type of white blood cell that is increased. For example, neutrophilic leucocytosis refers to an elevation in the number of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell involved in immune response. Lymphocytic leucocytosis involves an increase in lymphocytes, another type of white blood cell crucial for immune function.
Leucocytosis is not a disease itself, but rather an indication that the body is actively fighting an infection or reacting to an inflammatory condition. However, in some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, or certain types of cancers. Therefore, it is important for individuals with persistent leucocytosis or unexplained increases in white blood cell counts to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation and diagnosis. Treatment will depend on addressing the underlying cause of the condition.
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Strictly, the presence of leucocytes in the blood, but usually employed in the sense of hyperleucocytosis, an increase in the number of leucocytes in the blood beyond that which is normal for the individual, in general above 10,000 per c.mm.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEUCOCYTOSIS
- keucocytosis
- peucocytosis
- oeucocytosis
- lwucocytosis
- lsucocytosis
- lducocytosis
- lrucocytosis
- l4ucocytosis
- l3ucocytosis
- leycocytosis
- lehcocytosis
- lejcocytosis
- leicocytosis
- le8cocytosis
- le7cocytosis
- leuxocytosis
- leuvocytosis
- leufocytosis
- leudocytosis
Etymology of LEUCOCYTOSIS
The word "leucocytosis" is derived from two Greek roots: "leuco", meaning white, and "cytosis", meaning an abnormal increase in the number of cells. "Leuco" comes from the Greek word "leukos", which also means white. "Cytosis" is derived from the Greek word "kutos", meaning a cell. Therefore, the overall meaning of "leucocytosis" is an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells, which is a medical condition often associated with infection or inflammation.
Similar spelling words for LEUCOCYTOSIS
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