The spelling of the medical term "terminal leucocytosis" can be a bit tricky. The word "terminal" is easy to spell but "leucocytosis," which means an increase in white blood cells, can be a handful. This word can be broken down into three parts: "leuco" (white), "cyto" (cell), and "osis" (condition). In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /tərˈmɪnəl ˌluːkəʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/. This condition may occur in the final stages of some diseases, such as cancer, and is important to monitor in patients.
Terminal leucocytosis refers to the increase in the number of white blood cells (leucocytes) at the end or final stages of a disease or illness. Leucocytes are an essential part of the immune system and are responsible for fighting off infections and diseases in the body. They are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream.
During the course of an illness, the body may experience changes in the normal range of white blood cell count. Terminal leucocytosis specifically describes the condition when there is a significant elevation in white blood cell count towards the end of a disease or illness, often indicating a more severe or advanced stage of the condition.
Terminal leucocytosis can occur in various medical situations, including infections, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and certain types of cancer. When the body is infected or battling a disease, the immune system responds by producing more white blood cells to combat the problem.
While terminal leucocytosis can sometimes be a sign of a worsening condition, it is important to note that it is not always an indicator of a poor prognosis. It is essential to consider other clinical factors, such as the overall health status of the individual and the specific disease or condition being treated, to accurately interpret the significance of terminal leucocytosis in each case.
That which occurs just before death.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "terminal leucocytosis" is a medical term used to describe an increase in the number of white blood cells (leucocytes) toward the end stage of a disease. It does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two medical terms.
- "Terminal" comes from the Latin word "terminus", meaning "end" or "boundary". In medical terminology, it refers to the final or concluding stage of a disease or condition.
- "Leucocytosis" is derived from two Greek words: "leuko" meaning "white", and "cytosis" meaning "an abnormal increase in the number of cells". In this case, it specifically refers to an elevated white blood cell count.