The word "myeloblast" is a medical term commonly used in hematology to describe a type of immature white blood cell found in bone marrow. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈmaɪəloʊˌblæst/, which breaks down the pronunciation into five distinct syllables. The word starts with the 'MY' sound, followed by 'EH', 'LO', 'BLA', and finally, 'ST'. Understanding the correct spelling and pronunciation of medical terms such as this is essential in the accurate communication of important health information.
A myeloblast is a type of cell that belongs to the myeloid lineage of white blood cells. It is considered a precursor or immature form of granulocytes, which are responsible for the body's defense against infections. Myeloblasts are primarily found in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside bones, where they undergo a maturation process known as myelopoiesis.
Structurally, myeloblasts are characterized by a large, round nucleus that often contains distinguishable nucleoli. They also possess a small amount of cytoplasm that shows limited granules, hence the name "myeloblast" meaning "immature granule." These granules are essential for the cell's function in destroying foreign microorganisms.
During the maturation process, myeloblasts transform into promyelocytes and then sequentially differentiate into myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and finally into fully developed granulocytes – neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. This orderly progression allows myeloblasts to eventually become mature and functional white blood cells, ready to combat infections in the body.
In some cases, an abnormal increase in the number of myeloblasts can occur, leading to a condition known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This condition disrupts normal blood cell production and can result in the overcrowding of abnormal myeloblasts, impairing the production of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cell types.
Overall, myeloblasts play a crucial role in the immune response against pathogens, and their proper maturation is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Premyelocyte, a young myelocyte differing from the mature form chiefly in the absence of granules; one of the cells in bone-marrow from which the granular leucocytes of myeloid origin are supposed to be derived; lymphoidocyte.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "myeloblast" is derived from two components: "myelo-" and "-blast".
The term "myelo-" comes from the Greek word "muelon" meaning "marrow". It refers to the soft, fatty substance found inside bones, known as bone marrow.
The suffix "-blast" is derived from the Greek word "blastos", meaning "germ" or "bud". It is commonly used in medical terminology to denote an immature or undifferentiated cell that has the potential to develop into a specific cell type.
Therefore, "myeloblast" is a combination of "myelo-" (referring to the marrow) and "-blast" (representing an immature or undifferentiated cell), indicating a precursor cell found in the bone marrow that has the potential to develop into myeloid cells, such as granulocytes or monocytes.