What does haematopoietic mean?
Haematopoietic is an adjective meaning connected with the formation of blood, particularly the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The term is especially common in medicine and biology, where it appears in expressions such as haematopoietic stem cells and the haematopoietic system. Haematopoietic stem cells are unspecialised cells capable of developing into the different types of blood-forming cells, making the term important in research on bone marrow, transplantation, cancer and blood disorders. The word is chiefly used in specialist contexts rather than everyday speech, but it is precise and useful when discussing how blood is produced. British and American medical usage generally differ only in spelling: haematopoietic is standard in British English, while hematopoietic is standard in American English.
adjectiveRelating to the formation of blood, especially the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
- Relating to the production of blood or blood cells.
"The researcher studied the ability of haematopoietic stem cells to generate new blood cells."
"Haematopoietic stem cells can be used to replenish blood-forming cells after certain treatments."
"The condition results from a defect in the haematopoietic system."
Every red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet in your body begins life through the work of the haematopoietic system.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haematopoietic come from?
The word combines Greek haima, meaning “blood,” with poietikos, meaning “productive” or “capable of producing.” Its components were brought together in medical usage to describe the formation of blood and blood-forming tissues. The related noun haematopoiesis names the process itself. The spelling haematopoietic follows British medical convention, whereas hematopoietic is used in American English.
Related word forms
How haematopoietic is actually used
This is a formal, specialist medical and scientific term. It is most often used with words such as stem cells, tissue, system, growth factors and malignancies. The British spelling uses haematopoietic, while American usage commonly spells it hematopoietic.
Easily confused with haematopoietic
Hematopoietic is the American spelling of the British medical term haematopoietic; both have the same meaning.