What does haematology mean?
Haematology is the branch of medicine concerned with blood, blood cells, bone marrow, and the processes by which these are produced and affected by disease. In clinical practice, it supports the diagnosis and treatment of anaemia, bleeding and clotting disorders, leukaemias, and other blood-related conditions; laboratory haematology also examines blood films and counts. The term is technical and formal, and it is most often encountered in medicine, research, and health services. British and international usage normally spells it “haematology,” while US usage commonly uses “hematology.” The word combines the Greek roots for “blood” and “study,” making its meaning unusually transparent. Although the subject can sound narrow, haematology is deeply connected to many parts of medicine because blood supplies nearly every tissue and reveals disease processes throughout the body. It is therefore important both for treating specific blood disorders and for providing clues to a wide range of other illnesses.
nounThe branch of medicine concerned with blood, blood-forming tissues, and blood disorders, including the study of blood cells and bone marrow.
- The branch of medicine concerned with blood, blood cells, bone marrow, blood formation, and blood disorders.
"Her research in clinical haematology has transformed the diagnosis of inherited blood disorders."
"The hospital has expanded its haematology department to provide specialist treatment for leukaemia."
"A background in haematology helps researchers understand how diseases affect blood cells."
The plural is uncommon in general prose but may distinguish separate departments, branches, or academic disciplines of haematology.
"Her career spans several haematologies, including transfusion medicine and haemostasis."
Haematology may sound obscure, but it is the medical discipline that reads blood's microscopic story.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haematology come from?
The word was formed from Greek haima, meaning “blood,” and the combining form -logia, meaning “study of.” The related prefix haemato- likewise derives from the same Greek element and appears in words such as haemoglobin and haemorrhage. Its transparent formation reflects the early development of haematology as a distinct branch of medical study.
Related word forms
How haematology is actually used
Formal and specialist, especially common in medicine, biomedical research, and health services. British and international medical English generally uses the spelling with “ae,” while US medical English normally uses “hematology.”
Easily confused with haematology
These are spelling variants of the same word and refer to the same medical discipline.