LEUKOCYTE COUNT Meaning and
Definition
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Leukocyte count refers to the measurement of the total number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in a given volume of blood. Leukocytes are a vital component of the immune system and play a crucial role in defending the body against various infections, diseases, and foreign substances. They are responsible for identifying and eliminating pathogens, producing antibodies, and regulating immune responses.
The leukocyte count is typically determined through a laboratory test called a complete blood count (CBC). This test provides information about the different types of white blood cells present in the blood, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type of white blood cell has distinct functions in the immune response, and abnormalities in their counts may indicate specific health conditions.
A normal leukocyte count is typically between 4,000 and 11,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. Higher or lower counts than this range can be indicative of various medical conditions or factors such as infections, inflammation, autoimmune disorders, allergies, leukemia, bone marrow disorders, or even medication side effects. Therefore, the leukocyte count serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for healthcare professionals to assess a person's immune system health, monitor response to treatments, or identify potential underlying illnesses.
In summary, the leukocyte count is a quantitative assessment of white blood cells in the blood and is used to evaluate the status of a person's immune system and diagnose or monitor certain medical conditions.
Common Misspellings for LEUKOCYTE COUNT
- Leukocyte Couft
- Leukocyte Coult
- Leukocyte Couot
- Leukocyte Coun4
- Leukocyte Cound
- Leukocyte Counp
- Leukocyte Counv
- Leukocyte Counu
- l eukocyte count
- le ukocyte count
- leu kocyte count
- leuk ocyte count
- leuko cyte count
- leukoc yte count
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- leukocyt e count
- leukocyte c ount
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Etymology of LEUKOCYTE COUNT
The word "leukocyte count" has the following etymology:
- "Leukocyte" comes from the Greek words "leukos" meaning "white" and "kytos" meaning "cell". In Greek, "leukos" refers to the white color of these blood cells when observed under a microscope.
- "Count" comes from the Old French word "compter", which means "to count" or "to reckon".
So, the etymology of "leukocyte count" indicates that it refers to the process of determining the number of white blood cells in the body.
