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Glite Dictionary
megalocyte

megalocyte

9.9
A very large red blood cell often seen in some anemias
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛɡəloʊˌsaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : megalocito
  • The doctor identified a megalocyte while examining the patient's blood smear.

Examples

  • A high number of megalocytes can be a sign of pernicious anemia.

  • The blood test revealed several megalocytes in the sample.

  • Researchers study megalocyte formation to better understand certain blood disorders.

  • A high count of megalocytes can indicate a serious condition.

  • The doctor identified a megalocyte while examining the patient's blood smear.

  • A high number of megalocytes can be a sign of pernicious anemia.

  • Researchers study megalocyte formation to better understand certain blood disorders.

Synonyms

macrocyte
vsmegalocyte
  • Specialized
9.1

A larger than normal red blood cell often linked to anemia

is used more generally for large red cells not naming causes
megaloblast
vsmegalocyte
  • Specialized
8.7

A very large red blood cell that appears in some anemias

is broader, applying to large red cells without naming causes

How Large

megalocyte
  • Specialized
9.9
macrocyte
  • Specialized
9.1
red blood cell
  • Specialized
16 3.1

Surface Forms

megalocyte singular
megalocytes plural

Morphology

megalocyte = cyte (semi-transparent) = megalo + cyte

Formed by the medical combining form 'megalo-' (large) attached to '-cyte' (cell); the literal meaning 'large cell' is inferable for those familiar with biomedical morphemes but may be unclear to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Megalocyte comes from Greek parts mega- meaning 'large' and -cyte meaning 'cell', and you can think of mega- like in megabyte to mean 'big'. So a megalocyte is a 'large cell', which is why the term is used for an unusually large red blood cell seen in some types of anemia.