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hemolysis
hemolysis , destruction of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Although new red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are continuously created and old ones destroyed, an excessive rate of destruction sometimes occurs. The dead cells, in sufficiently large numbers, overwhelm the organ that destroys them, the spleen, so that serum pigments resulting from hemoglobin breakdown appear in the blood serum. Jaundice is caused by overloading the liver with pigment. Large-scale destruction of red blood cells, from any of a variety of causes, results in anemia . Rh disease, or erythroblastosis fetalis , is a hemolytic disease of newborns caused by an immune reaction between fetal red blood cells and maternal antibodies to them. Some hemolytic conditions, e.g., those in which red blood cells are fragile and rupture easily, are treated by removal of the spleen to slow cell breakdown or by administration of steroids . Autoimmune hemolytic conditions result from splenomegaly. The spleen not only sequesters red blood cells, but produces antibodies against the body's red blood cells. This is a potentially lethal condition that occurs more often in women than men. |
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"hemolysis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hemolysis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hemolysi.html "hemolysis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hemolysi.html |
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haemolysis
haemolysis The breakdown of red blood cells. A normal occurrence, chiefly in the blood sinuses of the spleen, when the cells are ageing after 3–4 months in circulation, but it can happen abnormally in the circulating blood, causing haemolytic anaemia. In either case, the cells become more fragile than normal, disintegrate, and shed their contents. Normally the haemoglobin is broken down and recycled, so its iron is not lost. When free haemoglobin is released in the plasma, some products are retained, but excessive amounts are excreted from the kidneys (haemoglobinuria). Fragility of cells in a blood sample can be assessed by placing them in a series of salt solutions of progressively lower osmolality than the blood itself, which causes them to swell, and finding the osmolality at which they burst.
Stuart Judge See blood; haemoglobin. |
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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "haemolysis." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "haemolysis." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-haemolysis.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "haemolysis." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-haemolysis.html |
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haemolysis
haemolysis (hi-mol-i-sis) n. the destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Within the body, haemolysis may result from poisoning, infection, or the action of antibodies; it may occur in mismatched blood transfusions. It usually leads to anaemia. See also laking.
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"haemolysis." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-haemolysis.html "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-haemolysis.html |
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haemolysis
haemolysis The breakdown of red blood cells. It may be due to the action of disease-causing microorganisms, poisons, antibodies in mismatched blood transfusions, or certain allergic reactions. It produces anaemia.
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"haemolysis." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-haemolysis.html "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-haemolysis.html |
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haemolysis
haemolysis (hemolysis) The rupture of red blood cells and the dissolution of their contents.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-haemolysis.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "haemolysis." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-haemolysis.html |
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