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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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.
