ACANTHOCYTES Meaning and
Definition
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Acanthocytes are a type of abnormally shaped red blood cells (erythrocytes) that exhibit a characteristic irregularly spiky or thorn-like appearance on their surface. These cells may be seen in small numbers in the bloodstream in certain medical conditions, particularly in the context of disorders affecting the liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal system.
The presence of acanthocytes can be indicative of various underlying pathological conditions, such as liver diseases like cirrhosis, as well as malabsorption disorders, genetic disorders like abetalipoproteinemia, or vitamin E deficiency. Additionally, they may be observed in certain cancers, such as stomach or esophageal cancers, and after a splenectomy.
The formation of acanthocytes is thought to be mediated by alterations in the lipid composition of the red blood cell membrane, leading to abnormal distribution of lipids on the cell surface. This change in lipid distribution causes the formation of the characteristic spiky projections.
Diagnosing the presence of acanthocytes typically involves performing a blood smear examination under a microscope, where the irregular shapes of the cells can be observed. Acanthocytosis, which refers to the presence of acanthocytes in the blood, can aid in the diagnosis of underlying conditions and guide further investigations.
In conclusion, acanthocytes are abnormal red blood cells with a thorn-like appearance on their surface. They may be seen in various medical conditions and can be indicative of underlying liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal problems, among others.
Common Misspellings for ACANTHOCYTES
- zcanthocytes
- scanthocytes
- wcanthocytes
- qcanthocytes
- axanthocytes
- avanthocytes
- afanthocytes
- adanthocytes
- acznthocytes
- acsnthocytes
- acwnthocytes
- acqnthocytes
- acabthocytes
- acamthocytes
- acajthocytes
- acahthocytes
- acanrhocytes
- acanfhocytes
- acanghocytes
- acanyhocytes
Etymology of ACANTHOCYTES
The word "acanthocytes" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "akantha", meaning thorn or spine, and "cytos", meaning cell. Thus, the etymology of "acanthocytes" can be traced to Greek roots and describes red blood cells that have irregularly spiky or thorny projections.
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