Haematocrit
Haematocrit
Haematocrit (pronounced: hee-muh-toh-krit), also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is a medical term referring to the proportion of the blood that consists of red blood cells, expressed as a percentage.
Etymology
The term "haematocrit" is derived from the Greek words "haima" meaning "blood" and "kritēs" meaning "judge". It is used to judge or measure the proportion of blood that is made up of red blood cells.
Definition
Haematocrit is a test that measures the proportion of a person's total blood volume that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs). This measurement depends on the number and size of red blood cells. It is a key test in the Complete Blood Count (CBC), a panel of tests often performed as part of a general health checkup.
Procedure
The haematocrit test is performed by taking a blood sample, typically from a vein in the arm. The blood sample is then placed in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins the blood sample at high speed. This causes the blood components to separate, with the red blood cells settling at the bottom. The percentage of the total blood sample that is made up of red blood cells is then calculated.
Normal Range
The normal range for haematocrit varies between sexes and is approximately 45% to 52% for men and 37% to 48% for women.
Related Terms
- Red Blood Cells (RBCs): The cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): A panel of tests that examines different parts of the blood.
- Centrifuge: A machine that separates different parts of a fluid, such as blood, based on their densities.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Haematocrit
- Wikipedia's article - Haematocrit
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