How Do You Spell HEMATOCRIT?

Pronunciation: [hˈɛmɐtˌɒkɹɪt] (IPA)

The word "hematocrit" is a term used in medical science to measure the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. The spelling of this word can be confusing due to its phonetic transcription in IPA. It is pronounced as /hɛˈmætəkrɪt/. The "hema" part signifies blood and the "crit" part indicates separation. This word is often misspelled as "hemocrate", "hemacrith", or "hematocrate", but it should be noted that the correct spelling is "hematocrit".

HEMATOCRIT Meaning and Definition

  1. Hematocrit is a medical term that refers to the volume of red blood cells (RBCs) in relation to the total volume of blood. It is a quantitative measure used to evaluate the overall health and functioning of the blood and is typically expressed as a percentage. Hematocrit is an important component of the complete blood count (CBC), a common blood test that provides valuable information about a person's overall blood health.

    The hematocrit value is obtained by centrifuging a blood sample to separate the RBCs from the plasma and other blood components. The separated RBCs form a compact layer at the bottom of the tube, while the plasma collects above it. The height of the RBCs layer is then measured and compared to the total height of the blood column. The resulting ratio is multiplied by 100 to provide the hematocrit percentage.

    Hematocrit levels can vary depending on various factors, such as age, sex, overall health, and altitude. In general, a higher hematocrit value indicates a higher proportion of RBCs, which can be seen in conditions like dehydration, polycythemia vera (a rare blood disorder), or living at high altitudes. Conversely, a lower hematocrit value may indicate anemia (low RBC count), excessive bleeding, or fluid overload.

    Regular monitoring of hematocrit levels can help in diagnosing and managing various blood disorders, guiding treatment decisions, and tracking response to therapy. It is an essential parameter in assessing an individual's overall blood composition and health.

  2. A centrifuge for separating the solid elements of the blood from the plasma.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HEMATOCRIT

Etymology of HEMATOCRIT

The word "hematocrit" has its roots in two Greek terms: "haima" meaning "blood" and "krites" meaning "judge". Therefore, the term "hematocrit" can be interpreted to mean "blood judge" or "judge of blood". This term accurately reflects the function of measuring and determining the proportion of red blood cells in relation to the total volume of blood.

Similar spelling words for HEMATOCRIT

Plural form of HEMATOCRIT is HEMATOCRITS

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