What does hematolysis mean?
Hematolysis is a specialized medical noun for the destruction or dissolution of red blood cells, with hemoglobin released from the cells into the surrounding fluid. The process can occur inside blood vessels after immune or mechanical injury and outside them when the liver or spleen removes damaged cells. In a laboratory, it can also describe a blood sample that has broken down before analysis, making the specimen unsuitable or revealing a handling problem. Hematolysis matters clinically because it may contribute to anemia and can interfere with test results. The word is less usual than its synonym hemolysis, while haemolysis serves as a common British spelling. Its Greek elements make its meaning memorable: haîma means “blood,” and lysis refers to loosening or dissolution. Together they describe the breaking open of red blood cells and the release of the oxygen-carrying pigment that gives blood its red color.
nounThe destruction or dissolution of red blood cells, with the release of hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid.
- The destruction or dissolution of red blood cells, with the release of hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid.
"The laboratory rejected the blood sample after noticing visible hematolysis."
"The nurse rejected the specimen after noticing visible hematolysis."
"Extravascular hematolysis may occur when the spleen or liver removes damaged red blood cells from the circulation."
This plural is uncommon; hematolysis is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"Severe hematolyses can complicate transfusion reactions."
Hematolysis makes a blood sample lose its clean red appearance by breaking open red blood cells and releasing their red pigment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hematolysis come from?
The combining form hemat(o-) derives from Greek haîma, meaning “blood,” while -lysis comes from Greek lýsis, meaning “a loosening” or “dissolution.” Latinized medical vocabulary joined these elements to form hematolysis as a scientific description of the breakdown of blood cells. Its formation follows the same Greek-derived pattern seen in related medical terms concerning blood.
Related word forms
How hematolysis is actually used
This is specialized medical and laboratory terminology. Hematolysis is usually treated as an uncountable process noun, although the rare plural hematolyses occurs in technical writing.
Easily confused with hematolysis
Hematolysis is a less common spelling variant of hemolysis; both names refer to the destruction of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin.
Hematology is the medical study of blood and blood disorders, whereas hematolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells.