RETICULOCYTE COUNT Meaning and
Definition
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Reticulocyte count refers to a diagnostic test that measures the number of reticulocytes in the bloodstream. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs) that are released by the bone marrow into the circulation. This count is expressed as a percentage or absolute value and is commonly used to assess the bone marrow's ability to produce new RBCs.
A healthy individual typically has a low reticulocyte count, around 0.5 to 2.5 percent of the total RBC count. However, if the body experiences increased demand for RBC production, such as in cases of anemia or blood loss, the bone marrow responds by releasing more reticulocytes into the bloodstream. Therefore, a higher reticulocyte count is often indicative of an active bone marrow and can serve as an indicator of the body's response to specific conditions or treatments.
Reticulocyte count is particularly useful in diagnosing different types of anemia, monitoring response to treatment, or determining the cause of abnormal red blood cell production. It is often performed as part of a complete blood count (CBC) and, along with other parameters, can provide valuable information to healthcare providers in understanding and managing various blood disorders.
In conclusion, reticulocyte count is a quantitative assessment of the number of immature red blood cells in the bloodstream, providing essential information about bone marrow function and contributing to the clinical evaluation and management of various hematological conditions.
Common Misspellings for RETICULOCYTE COUNT
- eeticulocyte count
- deticulocyte count
- feticulocyte count
- teticulocyte count
- 5eticulocyte count
- 4eticulocyte count
- rwticulocyte count
- rsticulocyte count
- rdticulocyte count
- rrticulocyte count
- r4ticulocyte count
- r3ticulocyte count
- rericulocyte count
- reficulocyte count
- regiculocyte count
- reyiculocyte count
- re6iculocyte count
- re5iculocyte count
- retuculocyte count
- retjculocyte count
Etymology of RETICULOCYTE COUNT
The etymology of the word "reticulocyte" comes from the Latin word "reticulum", meaning small net. This relates to the appearance of reticulocytes under a microscope, as they exhibit a reticulated or net-like pattern due to the presence of residual ribosomal RNA.
The word "count" in "reticulocyte count" is derived from the Old French word "compter" which means "to count, reckon". In this context, it refers to the measurement or quantification of reticulocytes in a blood sample, which helps assess the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
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