This glossary currently contains medical and blood-related
terms and is regularly updated.
Click on a letter below to list terms alphabetically, or use the search facility to scan the glossary database.
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AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Albumin
Albumin is the main (most copious) protein found in blood and the major protein for maintenance of oncotic pressure.
Allogeneic Bone Marrow
Donated bone marrow by siblings.
Amino Acid
Building blocks of proteins. There are 20 different amino acids. Each protein consists of a specific sequence of amino acids.
Antibody
Specialised proteins produced by the immune system in response to a foreign substance or body. Antibodies may facilitate destruction of the foreign substance or render it harmless.
Anticoagulants
Agents that prevent the blood from clotting.
Anti-D
Anti-D is an immunoglobulin that is administered in RhD-negative women during pregnancy and at delivery to prevent haemolytic disease of the foetus and new born (HDN).
Antigen
Foreign substance stimulating an immune response by being recognised as 'non-self.'
Anti-Haemophilic Factor (AHF)
A term sometimes used to describe a coagulation factor, a substance important in blood clotting, especially for haemophilia A.
Antihistamine
Substance that opposes the action of histamine, an important mediator of allergic reactions and inflammation.
Antithrombin
An inhibitor of thrombin and activated Factor X.
Apheresed Plasma
Plasma that has been collected by plasmapheresis, i.e. the red cells are returned to the donor.
Arteriole
Small artery.
Artery
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
Arthropathy
Disease in a joint.
Autologous Bone Marrow
Patient's own bone marrow.
Autosome
One of a pair of similar chromosomes.
Avulsion Injury
When a muscle, tendon or ligament is torn away from its attachment on the bone.
Bethesda Unit
Expression of inhibitor potency: 1 BU is the reciprocal dilution of patient test plasma permitting detection of 50% residual FVIII activity in a mixture with normal pooled plasma.
Bleeding Disorder
A term used to describe a range of conditions that manifest as prolonged bleeding.
Bleeds
A term used to refer to bleeding episodes in patients with coagulation deficiencies.
Blood Volume
The amount of blood circulating in the vascular system.
Blood-derived
Distinguishes certain products that are derived from human blood from those manufactured by genetic engineering e.g. recombinant.
BMT
Bone marrow transplant.
Bone Marrow
Bone marrow is a soft, often fatty, tissue found inside bones. It produces blood cells.
Bone Marrow Transplantation
When patients develop disease of the blood cells (anaemias, leukaemias or lymphomas) or when cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) changes or destroys the bone marrow, a transplant with healthy bone marrow might be used as treatment.
Capillary
Smallest blood vessels where blood exchanges material with the interstitial fluid.
Chicken Pox
An infectious disease of childhood caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, which also causes shingles in adults.
Christmas Disease
A term used to describe patients with Factor IX deficiency (Haemophilia B).
Chromatography
Method for fractionation of mixtures; chromatography takes advantage of differences in size, electric charge and binding characteristics.
Chromosome
Gene-containing bodies that are found in the nucleus of all cells. Human beings possess forty-six chromosomes made up of twenty-three pairs.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
CLL is a disease which prevents B-cells from working properly. B-cells are the cells which produce antibodies.
Clot
A jelly-like substance that closes up a hole in a blood vessel to slow or stop blood from leaking out.
Clotting Factors
The proteins in the blood that work together to help form clots when bleeding begins.
Coagulant
A substance that plays a role in blood clotting.
Coagulation
Process of blood clotting by converting from liquid to semi-fluid.
Coagulation Cascade
A series of interactions between clotting factors in the blood that act upon each other sequentially to culminate in the production of fibrin.
Coagulation Factors
Substances in the blood that undergo a series of chemical reactions resulting in blood coagulation (clotting).
Cofactors
Substances that work alongside the factors in the coagulation cascade.
Collateral Circulation
Secondary or accessory circulation.
Colloids
Substances in which particles are in a stable suspension in a fluid medium.
Concentrates
Fractionated, freeze-dried preparations of individual clotting factors or groups of factors. They provide high-dose-to-volume material for rapid treatment of bleeds.
Contracture
The permanent tightening of a muscle, which prevents it from stretching to its normal length.
Coronary Artery Disease
Disease of the arteries responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle (myocardium).
Cryoprecipitate
The solid material which forms when frozen plasma is slowly thawed.
DDAVP
The generic name of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (also known as Desmopressin) which is commonly used in the treatment of von Willebrand Disease (VWD).
Diluent
A solution used for the reconstitution of lyophilised material.
Electrotherapy
The use of electricity to treat damaged tissue, by stimulating or improving the healing process.
Endothelial Cells
The cells that line the interior of blood vessels.
Enzyme
Protein that serves to catalyse (accelerate) a biological reaction.
EPFA
European Plasma Fractionation Association.
Epistaxis
Nose bleed.
Erythrocyte
Red blood cells that transport oxygen between the lungs and the tissues.
Factor Deficiencies
A term used to describe a number of conditions that manifest as a qualitative or quantitative abnormality of proteins involved in blood clotting.
Factor IX
One of the proteins in the blood which is involved in clotting (deficient in haemophilia B).
Factor VII
One of the proteins in the blood which is involved in clotting. It is one of the early proteins in the coagulation cascade.
Factor VIII
One of the proteins in the blood which is involved in clotting (deficient in haemophilia A).
Factor XI
One of the proteins in the blood which is involved in clotting (deficient in people, especially Ashkenazi Jews).
Factor XIII
One of the proteins in the blood which is involved in clotting, and stabilises and stenghthens the fibrin clot.
Fibrin
Substance found in the blood. Produced in threads, it eventually forms a close meshwork which is the foundation for a stable clot.
Fibrinolytic System
Responsible for breaking down fibrin. In the normal state it balances the inherent clotting activity of the blood.
Flexion Deformities
A joint that is permanently flexed and unable to straighten; most often occurs at the hip, knee and elbow.
Fractionation
Separation and processing of human blood plasma into a range of products for therapeutic use. A fractionation plant is a facility that carries out fractionation.
Fractionator
Authority or company owning and administrating a plant that carries out fractionation.
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
Human plasma separated from blood cells and platelets soon after donation and frozen at - 30°C. FFP contains all the clotting factors, but at very low concentration to volume.
Gene Technology
Set of methods that enable identification and isolation genes, their artificial recombination and transfer from one organism to another.
Genes
The biological units of heredity.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Serious immunological disorder affecting peripheral nerves; an auto-immune disorder.
Haemarthrosis
Bleeding into a joint, causing the capsule that encloses the joint to swell.
Haematemesis
Vomiting of blood because of internal bleeding.
Haematoma
Blood accumulation in soft tissue (e.g. muscles).
Haemolytic Disease of Foetus and the New Born (HDN)
Abnormal breakup of red blood cells in the foetus or newborn. This is usually due to antibodies produced by a RhD-negative pregnant woman directed against a RhD-positive foetus. It is caused by RhD incompatibility.
Haemophilia
A term used to describe a number of bleeding disorders.
Haemophilia A
A condition resulting from Factor VIII deficiency, also known as classical Haemophilia.
Haemophilia B
A condition resulting from Factor IX deficiency, also known as Christmas Disease.
Haemophilia C
A term sometimes used to describe a condition resulting from Factor XI deficiency.
Haemophiliacs
The term applied to describe patients with one of a range of conditions that manifest as prolonged bleeding.
Haemorrhage
Bleeding with large quantity of blood lost.
Haemostasis
Natural regulatory processes that come into play to stop bleeding.
Hamstrings
Muscles at the back of the thigh that bend/flex the knee.
Hepatitis A (HAV)
Inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include nausea, fever, and jaundice, although some patients have no symptoms at all. It does not lead to chronic disease.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, light stools and sometimes fatal.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Inflammation of the liver. Chronic infection can lead to liver damage and result in cirrhosis and cancer.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus, the causative agent of AIDS.
Home Therapy
Intravenous injection of clotting factor or immunoglobulin outside the hospital setting.
Human Plasma
The name applied to the fluid portion of the blood composed of serum and fibrinogen.
Human Serum
The clear fluid that separates from blood when it is allowed to clot and then to stand.
Hydrotherapy
The use of water to treat disease or injury, for example, exercising in water to help mobilise stiff joints or strengthen weak muscles.
Hyperimmune
A state where the body's immune system is extremely reactive against a particular antigen when it normally would not be. This occurs when the antigen is introduced into the body in large amounts (for example, by repeated injections) such that high levels of antibodies build up against it.
Hypertension
High blood pressure.
Hypervolaemia
High circulating blood volume.
Hypogammaglobulinaemia
A state of deficiency of plasma gamma globulins through impairment of antibody formation.
Hypovolaemia
Low circulating blood volume.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
This is a disease which results in destruction of platelets responsible for coagulation. An auto-immune disorder.
Iliopsoas
Muscle in the groin from the Iliacus (flexing the thigh) and psoas (flexing the hip) muscle.
Immune Response
Alteration in the reactivity of an organism's immune system in response to an antigen. In vertebrates, this may involve antibody production, induction of cell-mediated immunity, complement activation or development of immunological tolerance.
Immune System
The body system, made up of many organs and cells, that defends the body against infection, disease and foreign substances. The immune system is often stimulated in specific ways to fight cancer cells.
Immune Tolerance
The specific failure of a normally responsive individual to make an immune response to a known antigen. It results from previous contact with the antigen by an immunologically immature individual (foetus or neonate) or by an adult exposed to extreme high-dose or low-dose antigen, or by exposure to radiation, antimetabolites, antilymphocytic serum, etc.
Immune Tolerance in Haemolytic Inhibitors
A method used in the management of inhibitors to Factor VIII or Factor IX in patients with haemophilia.
Immunisation
The process of conferring a degree of protection or immunity against infection or the effects of infection.
Immunodeficiency
Where the body's immunological system of defence against infection is defective.
Immunoglobulin
A technical name for antibody. Y-shaped molecules produced by some blood cells in response to a stimulus of the immune system.
Immunology
The science and study of the interactions involved in the functioning of the immune defences of the body
Immunosuppressive
Suppresses the immune system thereby preventing it functioning properly and so reducing the body's resistance to infection
Inflammation
A condition that could affect any part of the body, consisting of congestion of blood vessels and the surrounding tissue. It is manifested by redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Inhibitors
Antibodies produced by Haemophiliacs against factor VIII or IX that reduce the activity of the coagulation factor and so the effectiveness of factor replacement therapy.
International Unit (iu or IU)
Standard unit of measure of volume established through the International System of Units. For the purpose of Haemophilia treatment, an iu represents the amount of factor VIII or IX present in one millilitre (ml) of average normal plasma.
Intervertebral Disc Herniation
A bulging of the cartilaginous disc between the vertebrae of the spine.
Intra-articular Haemorrage
Bleeding into a joint.
Intramuscular Haemorrage
Bleeding into a muscle.
Intravenous
A term which means inside a vein. Intravenous injections are given into a vein.
Intravenous Infusion
An infusion made into the vein.
IVIG
Intravenous immunoglobulin.
Jaundice
Yellowing of the skin and of the whites of the eyes from deposition of the natural pigment, bilirubin, that is released when haemoglobin is broken down. Jaundice is often a manifestation of liver disease affecting the biliary system. May also result from severe haemolytic anaemia.
Kawasaki Disease
A disease of infants and young children that is probably an abnormal immune response to a retrovirus infection.
Leucocyte
White blood cells that defend the body against foreign invaders.
Lymphocyte
White blood cell responsible primarily for the acquired immune response.
Lymphocytic Leukaemia
A leukaemia in which the cells undergoing uncontrolled increase are lymphocytes.
Lyophilised
Freeze-dried.
Menorrhagia
Very heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Mild Haemophilia
Condition resulting from a level of factor VIII or Factor IX clotting activity >10% of normal activity in the blood stream.
Moderate Haemophilia
Condition resulting from a level of factor VIII or Factor IX clotting activity between 2-10% of normal activity in the blood stream.
Monoclonal Immunoaffinity Chromotography
Purification technique that involves passing a blood fraction through a column filled with monoclonal antibodies highly specific to bind FVIII. FVIII is bound to the column while containants pass through. Highly purified FVIII is eluted from the column afterwards.
Mucosal Bleeds
Bleeding from the mucosal lining of areas such as the mouth and nose.
Musculoskeletal System
The collective term for the muscles, ligaments, tendons and the skeleton.
Mutation
Any change in the base sequence of the genetic material DNA.
Non-enveloped Viruses
A term used to describe viruses that are not covered by a fatty (lipid) coating.
Pasteurisation
A method of destroying infective microorganisms by heating a solution to 60 ºC for 10 hours.
Plasma
The liquid part of the blood; it contains many kinds of proteins including clotting factors, immunoglobulins and albumin.
Plasmapheresis
A process to remove plasma from a patient. Whole blood is removed from the patient and the plasma is separated out. The remaining portion of blood, containing all the blood cells, is transfused back into the patient by a specially designed machine.
Plasmin
An enzyme that breaks down fibrin.
Platelet Aggregation
The process in which platelets become more spherical and develop pseudopodia in order to bind together and provide a temporary plug at the site of damage
Platelets
Sticky, plate-shaped particles in the blood that stick to the vessel wall around injury sites, loosely filling the gap until the bleeding slows or stops.
Primary Antibody Deficiency (PAD)
This results from the failure of the immune system to produce sufficient antibodies to fight infection.
Primary Immuno Deficiency (PID)
This results from the failure of any part of the immune system to produce sufficient defence to fight infection.
Prophylaxis
Any means to prevent a disease or condition, e.g. immunisation against measles or the administration of coagulation factor concentrates to prevent bleeding in haemophiliacs.
Proprioception Training
Improving the sense of perception, usually at a subconscious level, of the movement and position of the body, limbs and joints independent of vision. It will improve balance and co-ordination.
Protein
The term applied to the group of substances found within the body, e.g. coagulation factors, proteins, immunoglobulins and albumin.
Quadriceps
A muscle of the thigh that stabilises, supports and straightens the knee.
Rabies
A severe virus infection of the nervous system disease which affects many warm blooded animals. It is often fatal.
Recombinants
A term covering the genetic engineering techniques that involve inserting genes from cells of one organism into the DNA in cells from another.
Recovered Plasma
Plasma that has been collected from the whole blood, the cellular components of which are used in blood transfusions.
Replacement Therapy
Administration of the missing clotting factor or immunoglobulin by intravenous injection.
RhD-negative
Rhesus D negative (absence of D antigens on red cells).
RhD-positive
Rhesus D positive (presence of D antigens on red cells).
Rhesus (Rh)
One of the Blood Group systems.
RICE
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation - an acronym used to describe the management of acute injuries.
Rotator Cuff Lesions
An injury involving one of the major muscles of the shoulder.
Routine Antenatal Prophylaxis
A procedure which involves giving a RhD-negative woman Anti-D at weeks 28 and 34 to reduce the risk of haemolytic disease of the foetus and new born (HDN).
Salt Free
Without salt (sodium chloride, NaCl).
Secondary Antibody Deficiency
SAD is a shortage or complete lack of antibodies which results from the effects of another illness (i.e. not genetic), such as myeloma.
Serum
Plasma without clotting factors. Plasma without the fibrin clot.
Severe Haemophilia
Condition resulting from a level of Factor VIII or Factor IX clotting activity less than 2% in the blood stream.
Shingles
Disease in adults caused by Varicella Zoster virus (Herpetoviridae) that, in children, causes Chicken Pox.
Soft Tissue Injury
An injury related to trauma that involves ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Solvent/Detergent
A manufacturing process that destroys lipid-enveloped viruses like HIV, HBV and HCV, by using a mixture of an organic solvent and a detergent.
Spondylolistthesis
Forward displacement of one vertebra over another.
Sporadic Haemophilia
Cases of Haemophilia which occur with no previous family history. It is assumed that these cases are the result of genetic mutation.
Sterile
Free from bacteria and other microorganisms.
Subcutaneous
A term referring to under the skin, usually associated with injections into the fatty tissue beneath the skin.
Swelling - Circumferential
Swelling involving all sides of a joint.
Swelling - Unilateral
Swelling involving a joint on one side of the body.
Syndrome
A unique combination of sometimes apparently unrelated symptoms or signs, forming a distinct clinical entity.
Synovitis
Chronic joint swelling, caused by repeated bleeding from the synovium into the joint.
Synovium
Synovial membrane, the membrane that lines the inside of joints and produces a lubricating fluid for the joint.
Tetanus
An acute disease of the nervous system caused by toxins of the bacterium Clostridium tetani.
Thrombocytopenia
Abnormally low concentration of platelets in blood. May result in bleeding into the skin, spontaneous bruising and prolonged bleeding after injury.
Thrombosis
The formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels (arteries or veins).
Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA)
A protein found in the body that acts to breakdown a blood clot.
Tranexamic Acid
A synthetic drug that stops bleeding by preventing the premature breakdown of the clot by reducing the natural anti-fibrinolytic activity.
Varicella Zoster
Virus that causes Chicken Pox and Herpes Zoster (shingles).
Virus
DNA or RNA in a protein cover; viruses can only reproduce inside cells because they have few genes and no independent metabolism; they replicate their nucleic acid by exploiting the structures and enzymes of the host cell.
Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
A condition where there is a qualitative abnormality or quantitative deficiency of von Willebrand Factor (VWF).
Von Willebrand Factor (VWF)
A dual actioned protein in the blood, important in blood clotting, it also acts as a carrier protein for Factor VIII.
VWD (vWD previously)
An abbreviation that is commonly used for von Willebrand Disease.
VWF (vWF previously)
An abbreviation that is commonly used for von Willebrand Factor (a large protein); it can be extracted from the plasma of normal donors usually in combination with factor VIII and made available in concentrated form to people who need it.
