RHESUS FACTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Rhesus factor, also referred to as Rh factor, is an antigen present on the surface of red blood cells of most individuals. It is named after the rhesus monkey from which the antigen was first identified. The rhesus factor plays a crucial role in blood transfusions and pregnancy.
There are two main types of individuals in terms of the presence or absence of the rhesus factor: Rh-positive (Rh+) and Rh-negative (Rh-). Individuals who have the Rh factor on their red blood cells are considered Rh-positive, while those who lack the antigen are classified as Rh-negative.
The presence or absence of the rhesus factor has significant implications in pregnancy, particularly when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive. In such cases, the condition is known as Rh incompatibility, which can lead to complications in subsequent pregnancies. It occurs when the mother's immune system produces antibodies against the Rh factor of the baby's blood, resulting in potential harm to the fetus.
In blood transfusions, compatibility between the donor's blood and the recipient's blood is crucial. Rh-negative individuals can receive blood from Rh-negative or Rh-positive donors since absence of the Rh factor means they lack the antibodies against it. However, Rh-positive individuals can only receive Rh-positive blood to avoid potential immune reactions.
Understanding an individual's rhesus factor is essential in medical settings to ensure safe blood transfusions and prevent complications arising from Rh incompatibility during pregnancy.
Common Misspellings for RHESUS FACTOR
- ehesus factor
- dhesus factor
- fhesus factor
- thesus factor
- 5hesus factor
- 4hesus factor
- rgesus factor
- rbesus factor
- rnesus factor
- rjesus factor
- ruesus factor
- ryesus factor
- rhwsus factor
- rhssus factor
- rhdsus factor
- rhrsus factor
- rh4sus factor
- rh3sus factor
- rheaus factor
Etymology of RHESUS FACTOR
The term "Rhesus factor" is derived from its discovery in Rhesus monkeys. In 1937, researchers Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener discovered an antigen on the red blood cells of Rhesus monkeys that was similar to a previously identified human blood group antigen. They named this antigen the "Rhesus factor" after the monkey species it was first discovered in. The Rhesus factor is now formally known as the "Rh factor" in human blood typing.
