plasmapheresis
UK[ˌplazməˈfɛrɪsɪs]US[ˌplæzməˈfɛrəsɪs]
n
A medical procedure in which blood is taken from a donor or patient, the plasma is separated and removed, and the blood cells are returned to the circulatory system.
Morpheme Breakdown
plasma
pheresis
plasma
liquid part of blood
pheresis
removal
Etymology
The term 'plasmapheresis' is a modern scientific coinage, constructed in the early 20th century from classical Greek roots to precisely describe a new medical technique. The first element, 'plasma', evolved from the Greek verb 'plassein' (to mold or form), reflecting the ancient concept of the formative fluid component of living tissue, which was later specialized to mean blood plasma. The second element, '-pheresis', is derived from 'aphairesis', meaning a taking away or removal. Thus, the word's literal construction, "plasma removal," directly and logically conveys the procedure's core function: the separation and extraction of plasma from the blood, with the remaining cellular components returned to the body.
Analysis
Structure: plasma (liquid part of blood) + pheresis (removal)
- plasma: From Greek 'plasma' (something molded, a form). In this word, it refers to the liquid component of blood.
- pheresis: From Greek 'aphairesis' (a taking away), shortened to '-pheresis' in medical terminology. It denotes a process of removal or withdrawal.
Examples
The patient underwent plasmapheresis to remove harmful antibodies from their bloodstream.
Plasmapheresis is often used as a treatment for certain autoimmune disorders.
Donors can contribute plasma through a process called donor plasmapheresis.