thrombocytopenia
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boʊˌsaɪBased on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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thrombocytopenia (ˌθrɒmbəʊˌsaɪtəʊˈpiːnɪə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| pathol an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood | |
| [C20: from German thrombocytopenie from | |
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| a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C14H9Cl5, usually derived from chloral by reaction with chlorobenzene in the presence of fuming sulfuric acid: used as an insecticide and as a scabicide and pediculicide: agricultural use prohibited in the U.S. |
| an obscure term ostensibly referring to a lung disease caused by silica dust, sometimes cited as one of the longest words in the English language. |
thrombocytopenia throm·bo·cy·to·pe·ni·a (thrŏm'bō-sī'tə-pē'nē-ə)
n.
An abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Also called thrombopenia.
throm'bo·cy'to·pe'nic (-pē'nĭk) adj.
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thrombocytopenia
abnormally low number of platelets (thrombocytes) in the circulation. Thrombocytopenia may occur as a result of decreased platelet production, when the bone marrow is malfunctioning or not functioning (e.g., in leukemia, from an excess of certain drugs or radiation, in certain anemias, or from a congenital lack of megakaryocytes, cells in the bone marrow that give rise to platelets), or as a result of increased platelet destruction (e.g., from a malfunctioning spleen, congestive heart failure, blood transfusion after hemorrhage, or incompatible blood transfusion). Symptoms of thrombocytopenia include small hemorrhages into the skin, nosebleeds, and easy bruising; sometimes gastrointestinal bleeding, excess menstrual bleeding, or other hemorrhage is observed. Treatment includes rest, protection from injury, and sometimes platelet transfusion.
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