STOMATOCYTE Meaning and
Definition
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A stomatocyte refers to an abnormally shaped or altered erythrocyte (red blood cell) characterized by a mouth-like or slit-like opening on the cell membrane. Derived from the Greek words "stoma" meaning "mouth" and "kytos" meaning "cell," stomatocytes are typically classified according to the shape and size of the mouth-like aperture.
Stomatocytes are often identified through microscopic examination of blood smears under higher magnification. The formation of stomatocytes can occur as a result of various factors, including genetic mutations, certain medications, inherited disorders, liver disease, and dehydration. In some cases, stomatocytes may be harmless and do not cause any significant health issues. However, they can also be associated with certain medical conditions, such as hereditary stomatocytosis, liver cirrhosis, and alcoholism.
The presence of stomatocytes can affect the normal functioning and characteristics of red blood cells. In terms of cellular deformability, stomatocytes may exhibit reduced flexibility, leading to decreased red blood cell lifespan and subsequent anemia. Additionally, abnormal stomatocytes may contribute to changes in blood viscosity, impairing blood flow and potentially leading to organ dysfunction.
While further research is still needed to fully understand the functional implications of stomatocytes, their identification and characterization can provide valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring certain health conditions. Additionally, studying stomatocytes can contribute to enhancing our understanding of erythrocyte physiology and the underlying mechanisms of abnormal red blood cell morphology.
Common Misspellings for STOMATOCYTE
- atomatocyte
- ztomatocyte
- xtomatocyte
- dtomatocyte
- etomatocyte
- wtomatocyte
- sromatocyte
- sfomatocyte
- sgomatocyte
- syomatocyte
- s6omatocyte
- s5omatocyte
- stimatocyte
- stkmatocyte
- stlmatocyte
- stpmatocyte
- st0matocyte
- st9matocyte
- stonatocyte
- stokatocyte
Etymology of STOMATOCYTE
The word "stomatocyte" is derived from two Greek roots: "stoma" (στόμα), meaning "mouth", and "kytos" (κύτος), meaning "cell". Therefore, "stomatocyte" refers to a cell that resembles a mouth or has a mouth-like appearance.
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