Hypochromic

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Hypochromic

Hypochromic (pronunciation: hi-po-kro-mic) is a term used in medicine and pathology to describe a condition where the color intensity of red blood cells is less than normal. This is often due to a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin present in the cells.

Etymology

The term "hypochromic" is derived from the Greek words "hypo" meaning "under" or "less than", and "chroma" meaning "color". Thus, it literally translates to "less color".

Related Terms

  • Anemia: A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness. Hypochromic anemia is a specific type of anemia characterized by red blood cells that are paler than normal.
  • Microcytic: A term used to describe red blood cells that are smaller than normal. Hypochromic microcytic anemia is a condition where the red blood cells are both paler and smaller than normal.
  • Hemoglobin: The iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells of all vertebrates.
  • Iron deficiency: A common cause of hypochromic anemia, iron deficiency is a condition where the body lacks enough iron to produce sufficient red blood cells.
  • Erythrocyte: Also known as a red blood cell, erythrocytes are the most common type of blood cell and the principal means of delivering oxygen to body tissues.

See Also

External links

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