MLAB 1415- Hematology
Keri Brophy-Martinez
Introduction to
Hematology
Terms



Hematology

Study of formed cellular blood elements: the white blood
cells, red blood cells and platelets
Hemostasis

Arrest of bleeding by the formation of a barrier to blood
loss

Maintenance of an adequate number of cells to carry out
the functions of the organism
Hematopoiesis

Dynamic formation and development of blood cells,
normally in the bone marrow

Process responsible for the replacement of circulating
blood cells
Functions of the Hematology lab




Confirm a physician’s clinical impression
of a possible hematological disorder
Establish a diagnosis or rule out a
diagnosis
Detect an unsuspected disorder
Monitor the effects of radiation or
chemotherapy
Blood Composition

Plasma: 55%
 Constituents of Plasma


Water (92%)
Solutes(8%)




Albumins
Globulins
Fibrinogen
Others ( electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, lipids,
salts, enzymes and carbohydrates)
Functions of Plasma

Transport medium for nutrients &
metabolites

Immune Defense

Coagulation
Blood Composition

Cellular Elements



Leukocytes: 1%

White Blood Cell= WBC

Granulocytes- fight infection

Lymphocytes- cellular and humoral immunity

Monocytes- phagocytosis of foreign substances and dead or
dying cells
Platelets: 1%

Thrombocytes

Help to maintain hemostasis by plugging capillaries and forming
clots

Actually a fragment of cytoplasm from megakaryocyte
Erythrocytes: 43%

Red Blood Cell= RBC

Transports oxygen (O2) to tissues and excrete carbon dioxide
(CO2) from tissues

RBC’s do not have a nucleus
A
B&H
C&E
D
F
G
I
J
Erythrocytes (RBCs)
Lymphocytes
Segmented neutrophil
Eosinophil
Monocyte
Platelets
Neutrophilic band
Basophil
55%
45%
proteins, albumins,
globulins, fibrinogen,
electrolytes, hormones,
nutrients, and
respiratory gases
Blood Composition

Plasma: liquid portion of blood from an anticoagulated tubes

Serum: liquid portion of blood from a clotted specimen
Reference ranges



Differ according to age, race, sex and
geographic location
Established by individual facilities in
order to account for patient population
Refer to inside covers of textbook to
review various reference ranges
Overview: Laboratory testing

Complete Blood Count= CBC



Quantifies the white blood cells (WBC),
red blood cells (RBC) , hemoglobin,
hematocrit and platelets.
Calculates the RBC indices
WBC Differential: enumeration of the
types of WBC’s, RBC morphology,
platelets