Apheresis is a medical procedure that involves the removal of certain components of blood, such as platelets, plasma, or white blood cells, and returning the remaining blood components back to the donor. This process is also known as “apheresis donation” and is used for a variety of medical conditions.
Definitions
Apheresis is defined as a medical procedure that separates blood into its components and removes certain components, such as plasma or white blood cells, before returning the remaining blood components back to the donor.
Origin
The word apheresis is derived from the Greek words “aphairesis” and “aphairein,” which mean “to take away” or “to remove.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, apheresis is defined as “the separation of blood into its components and the removal of one or more of these (such as plasma, platelets, or white blood cells) before returning the remaining blood to the donor.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines apheresis as “the removal of a specific component from blood by a process of centrifugation.”
Associations
Apheresis is commonly used in the treatment of various medical conditions, including autoimmune disorders, blood disorders, and cancer. It is also used in organ transplantation to prevent rejection and in the collection of blood components for transfusion.
Synonyms
Synonyms for apheresis include “hemapheresis,” “plasmapheresis,” and “leukapheresis.”
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for apheresis, as it is a medical procedure that involves the removal of certain blood components.
The same root words
Words that share the same root as apheresis include “aphairein,” which means “to take away” or “to remove,” and “aphairesis,” which means “a taking away” or “a removal.”
Example Sentences
- The patient underwent apheresis to remove excess white blood cells from his bloodstream.
- The hospital is in need of more donors for apheresis donation.
- Apheresis is a common treatment for patients with autoimmune disorders.
- The donated blood components were separated using apheresis before transfusion.
- The medical team used apheresis to collect platelets for a patient undergoing chemotherapy.