The word "Leukocytoses" is a medical term used to describe a high number of white blood cells in the body. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /luːkəʊsaɪˈtəʊsiːz/. This word is spelled with a "k" instead of a "c" because the Greek root word "leukos" meaning "white" starts with a "k". The ending "-oses" is used to indicate a condition or state. Therefore, "Leukocytoses" literally means "white blood cells in a state of excess."
Leukocytoses refers to a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the bloodstream. Leukocytes are an essential component of the immune system and play a crucial role in fighting off infections and protecting the body against foreign substances. The normal range of white blood cells in the blood is typically between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter, so any count exceeding this range would be considered leukocytosis.
Leukocytoses can be classified into different types based on the underlying cause and the specific type of white blood cells that are elevated. For instance, neutrophilic leukocytosis occurs when there is an increase in neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell involved in the innate immune response. This type of leukocytosis is commonly seen during bacterial infections, inflammation, or certain types of cancers.
Other types of leukocytoses include lymphocytic leukocytosis (when there is an increase in lymphocytes), monocytic leukocytosis (an increase in monocytes), and eosinophilic leukocytosis (an increase in eosinophils). Each type may indicate different underlying conditions, such as viral infections, autoimmune diseases, allergies, or parasitic infections.
The diagnosis of leukocytoses typically involves a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the levels of different types of white blood cells in the blood. Treatment for leukocytoses depends on the underlying cause and may involve addressing the infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions contributing to the elevated white blood cell count.
The word "leukocytoses" is derived from two Greek roots: "leuko" meaning "white" and "cytosis" meaning "condition of cells".
"Leuko" comes from the Greek word "leukos" (λευκός), which means "white" or "light". It is often used to refer to things that are white in color, such as white blood cells.
"Cytosis" comes from the Greek word "kytos" (κύτος), which means "cell". It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe various conditions or disorders affecting cells.
When combined, "leuko" and "cytosis" form the word "leukocytosis", which refers to a condition in which there is an increased number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood.