SERUM ALBUMIN Meaning and
Definition
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Serum albumin is a protein found in the clear, yellowish fluid portion of the blood known as serum. It is the most abundant protein in the blood, accounting for approximately half of the total protein content.
Produced primarily by the liver, serum albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining the osmotic pressure in the blood vessels. Its main function is to transport a variety of substances throughout the body, including hormones, fatty acids, drugs, and metabolites. Additionally, it helps regulate the distribution and balance of fluids between the blood and tissues, ensuring proper hydration and maintaining blood volume.
Serum albumin also contributes to the body's defense system by binding and transporting various immune components, such as antibodies, to the sites of infection or inflammation. Furthermore, it acts as a scavenger of free radicals, helping to protect cells from oxidative damage.
Medical professionals often use serum albumin levels as a diagnostic tool for assessing a person's nutritional status, liver function, and overall health. Low levels of serum albumin may indicate malnutrition, liver or kidney disease, inflammation, or other medical conditions.
Overall, serum albumin is a vital protein that has numerous essential functions in the body, making it an important part of maintaining overall health and well-being.
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• A form of a. present in the blood plasma and in serous fluids.
• A protein belonging to the group of native albumins, occurring with the globulins in the body fluids; it is coagulable by heat, but is not precipitated by magnesium or ammonium sulphate; its chemical formula is C78H122N20SO24.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SERUM ALBUMIN
- aerum albumin
- zerum albumin
- xerum albumin
- derum albumin
- eerum albumin
- werum albumin
- swrum albumin
- ssrum albumin
- sdrum albumin
- srrum albumin
- s4rum albumin
- s3rum albumin
- seeum albumin
- sedum albumin
- sefum albumin
- setum albumin
- se5um albumin
- se4um albumin
- serym albumin
- serumalbumin
Etymology of SERUM ALBUMIN
The term "serum albumin" consists of two words: "serum" and "albumin".
- The word "serum" comes from the Latin word "serus", meaning watery or serum. It was derived from the Greek word "haima", meaning blood. "Serum" refers to the clear, pale yellowish fluid component of blood that remains after clotting, in which various proteins and other substances are dissolved or suspended.
- The word "albumin" originates from the Latin term "albumen", meaning the white of an egg. This Latin word was derived from the Latin "albus", which means white. In the 19th century, albumin was first discovered and isolated from egg whites. Later, it was found that similar proteins were present in blood serum. Therefore, this protein was named "albumin".
