| agglutination | The clumping of red blood cells that occurs from the binding of antibodies and antigens.
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| antecubital fossa | Area located in the middle of the arm, in front of the elbow, that houses veins most commonly used for venipuncture.
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| antibody | Complex protein substance that is produced in the presence of foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, lipids, or carbohydrates in order to protect the body.
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| anticoagulant | Any agent that prevents blood from clotting.
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| antigen | A substance that causes the formation of an antibody when introduced into blood or tissue.
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| aorta | Largest artery in the body.
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| arteriole | A smaller branch of an artery; a miniature artery.
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| artery | A blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the tissues.
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| atrium (atria, pl.) | One of two top chambers of the heart, known as the holding chambers.
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| basilic vein | Vein used for venipuncture that is not well anchored and tends to roll.
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| basophil | Least numerous type of leukocytes; the granules are large and stain dark blue from basic dyes and often obscure the nucleus.
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| blood type | A description based on the ABO classification system that determines the presence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells.
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| capillary | The smallest of all blood vessels, which allow the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the cells and blood; capillaries connect arteries to veins.
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| centrifugation | The process of separating the cells and plasma of blood using a device that spins the blood at high speeds, known as a centrifuge.
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| cephalic vein | Vein used for venipuncture that may be difficult to palpate.
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| coagulation | Cessation of bleeding; clot formation.
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| cytoplasm | Area of the cell outside the Nucleus.
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| deoxygenated | Presence of a larger quantity of carbon dioxide than oxygen.
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| diapedesis | Process by which certain white blood cells can exit the capillaries and enter the tissues in response to pathogens.
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| eosinophil | Leukocyte whose granules stain bright orange-red from eosin; aid the body in fighting parasites and are increased in allergies.
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| erythrocyte | Red blood cell; an anuclear, biconcave disk blood cell that is responsible for transporting oxygen.
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| fibrin | A filamentous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen.
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| fibrinogen | A protein found in plasma that is essential for clotting of blood.
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| hematoma | Collection of blood under the skin due to leakage of blood from a punctured vein or artery.
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| hemoglobin | Iron-rich protein molecules found in red blood cells that function to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
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| hemostasis | The process of coagulation, or clot formation, that repairs vessel damage and stops blood loss.
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| leukocyte | White blood cell; round cell with a nucleus whose main function is to combat infection and remove disintegrating tissues.
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| lymphocyte | A leukocyte produced in the lymphoid tissue; a nongranular leukocyte that has a role in the body's immune system.
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| median cubital vein | Most commonly used vein for venipuncture found in the middle of the forearm.
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| monocyte | A large leukocyte formed in bone marrow, with abundant cytoplasm and a kidney-shaped nucleus; function is to ingest bacteria and debris in tissues.
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| neutrophil | Leukocyte that engulfs and digests pathogens found in tissues; its granules stain lavender.
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| oxygenated | Containing a higher concentration of oxygen than carbon dioxide.
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| phagocytosis | A process by which bacteria and antigens are surrounded and engulfed by leukocytes.
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| plasma | The clear, pale yellow fluid component of blood that contains fibrinogen obtained from a tube that has an anticoagulant and has been centrifuged.
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| pulmonary arteries | Arteries that transport deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
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| pus | A substance containing old leukocytes, pathogens, and other debris, created at the site of infection once the white blood cells undergo phagocytosis.
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| Rh antigen | A protein originally found on the red blood cells of the Rhesus monkey.
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| septum | A muscular wall between the left and right side of the heart.
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| serum | Clear, pale yellow fluid that remains after blood clots and is separated; does not contain fibrinogen; plasma minus the clotting factors.
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| thrombin | Enzyme formed in response to an injury that is a perquisite to the fibrin clot formation.
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| thrombocyte | Also called platelet; the smallest of the formed elements in the bloodstream.
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| tunica adventitia | Outermost covering of arteries and veins.
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| tunica intima | Innermost layer of arteries and veins.
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| tunica media | Middle layer of arteries and veins.
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| vein | Blood vessel that transports blood from body tissues back to the heart.
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| vena cava | The largest vein in the body.
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| ventricles | One of two bottom chambers of the heart known as the pumping chambers.
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| venule | A minute vein.
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