SCHIZOCYTOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Schizocytosis is a medical term used to describe a phenomenon where red blood cells (erythrocytes) undergo a process of fragmentation or splitting, resulting in the formation of smaller fragments known as schistocytes. Schizocytosis can occur due to a variety of underlying conditions and is often associated with disorders affecting the blood vessels, particularly those pertaining to abnormal clotting or blood flow.
The fragmentation of red blood cells in schizocytosis can be caused by mechanical trauma or damage, such as that seen in cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). These conditions often present with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed in the microvasculature.
In addition to severe illnesses, other factors that may contribute to schizocytosis include artificial heart valves, prosthetic blood vessels, burns, certain medications, and congenital abnormalities in blood cell structure. In the laboratory setting, schizocytosis is typically observed when examining a blood smear under a microscope, where fragmented red blood cells are characterized by irregular shapes, broken edges, and uneven distribution.
The presence of schizocytes is of clinical importance as it can contribute to hemolysis, impaired oxygen delivery, and ultimately organ dysfunction. Identifying schizocytosis, along with other relevant laboratory findings and clinical symptoms, is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management of the underlying condition leading to these fragmented red blood cells.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SCHIZOCYTOSIS
- achizocytosis
- zchizocytosis
- xchizocytosis
- dchizocytosis
- echizocytosis
- wchizocytosis
- sxhizocytosis
- svhizocytosis
- sfhizocytosis
- sdhizocytosis
- scgizocytosis
- scbizocytosis
- scnizocytosis
- scjizocytosis
- scuizocytosis
- scyizocytosis
- schuzocytosis
- schjzocytosis
- schkzocytosis
- schozocytosis
Etymology of SCHIZOCYTOSIS
The word "schizocytosis" is derived from two components: "schizo" and "cytosis".
1. "Schizo" comes from the Greek word "schizein" (σχίζειν), meaning "to split" or "to cleave". It is commonly used as a prefix in medical terminology to denote splitting, division, or fragmentation.
2. "Cytosis" is derived from the Greek word "kytos" (κύτος), which means "cell". It is often used as a suffix to indicate a condition pertaining to cells or cellular processes.
Therefore, "schizocytosis" refers to a condition where cells undergo a process of splitting, division, or fragmentation.
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