OSMOTIC FRAGILITY Meaning and
Definition
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Osmotic fragility refers to the susceptibility of red blood cells (RBCs) to rupture or lyse when exposed to certain osmotic conditions. It is a characteristic that determines the resistance of RBCs to changes in their surrounding environment, specifically in terms of osmotic pressure.
When RBCs are subjected to different osmotic solutions, their shape and integrity are maintained through the balanced movement of water across the cell membrane. However, if the osmotic environment becomes imbalanced, such as when the extracellular solution is more concentrated than the RBCs' internal composition, water will flow out of the cells rapidly. This imbalance causes the RBCs to shrink, leading to their fragility and potential rupture.
The fragility of RBCs can be assessed through various laboratory tests, including the osmotic fragility test. In this test, RBCs are exposed to a series of hypotonic solutions that gradually decrease in osmolarity. The degree of hemolysis (RBC rupture) is measured to determine the osmotic fragility of the cells. Higher degrees of hemolysis indicate increased fragility, while lower degrees suggest greater resistance to osmotic changes.
Osmotic fragility is associated with several medical conditions, including hereditary spherocytosis, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease. It serves as an important diagnostic tool for identifying and monitoring these disorders. Additionally, osmotic fragility can be influenced by factors such as age, temperature, and certain medications.
Common Misspellings for OSMOTIC FRAGILITY
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- osnotic fragility
- oskotic fragility
- osjotic fragility
- osmitic fragility
- osmktic fragility
- osmltic fragility
- osmptic fragility
- osm0tic fragility
Etymology of OSMOTIC FRAGILITY
The term "osmotic fragility" consists of two components: "osmotic" and "fragility".
The word "osmotic" is derived from the Greek word "osmos", meaning "a push" or "a thrust". It refers to the movement of a solvent, usually water, through a semipermeable membrane to balance concentrations on either side of the membrane. Osmosis is a process by which molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
The term "fragility" comes from the Latin word "fragilis", meaning "easily broken" or "brittle". It refers to the quality of being delicate or brittle, thus easily damaged or broken.
