SEDIMENTATION RATE Meaning and
Definition
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Sedimentation rate refers to the measurement of the speed at which particles, such as red blood cells, settle to the bottom of a test tube over a given period of time. This process is commonly used in medical laboratories to evaluate and monitor inflammation in the body.
Also known as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or the sedimentation rate (sed rate), it is a non-specific test that provides an indication of the presence and intensity of inflammation. The test works on the principle that during active inflammation, certain proteins called acute-phase reactants are released into the bloodstream. These reactants cause the red blood cells to clump together, increasing their weight and affecting their ability to resist settling.
To conduct the sedimentation rate test, blood is collected and placed in an anticoagulant tube, allowing it to separate into plasma and red blood cells. The tube is then left undisturbed for a specific period of time, usually one hour, to allow the sediments to settle. The height of the plasma, which is now located above the settled red blood cells, is then measured and reported in millimeters per hour. A higher sedimentation rate indicates the presence of inflammation, as the clumped red blood cells settle more rapidly.
Although sedimentation rate is a useful tool in diagnosing conditions associated with inflammation, it is not a specific diagnostic test. Therefore, it is typically used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings to help determine the underlying cause of inflammation or monitor the effectiveness of certain treatments.
Common Misspellings for SEDIMENTATION RATE
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Etymology of SEDIMENTATION RATE
The term "sedimentation rate" is a compound term derived from two separate words: "sedimentation" and "rate".
1. Sedimentation: The word "sedimentation" can be traced back to the Latin word "sedimentum", which means "a settling" or "a settling down". It is derived from the verb "sedere", meaning "to sit". In scientific terms, sedimentation refers to the process by which solid particles settle down or accumulate in a liquid or gas due to gravity.
2. Rate: The word "rate" comes from the Latin word "ratus", which means "reckoned" or "considered". It is related to the verb "reri", meaning "to think", "to consider", or "to estimate". In scientific terminology, "rate" refers to the measurement or quantification of a particular process or occurrence over time.
Similar spelling words for SEDIMENTATION RATE
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