neutrophilic
- adjective
- /ˌnjuːtrəˈfɪlɪk/
- Specialized
- The pathologist noted a neutrophilic infiltration in the tissue sample, suggesting an inflammatory process.
Examples
-
The patient's blood test revealed a high level of neutrophilic white blood cells, indicating a possible infection.
-
The CSF white cell count is usually in the range of 1000-5000/mu L with a neutrophilic predominance.
Academic text (1995) -
In the laboratory, the scientist observed a neutrophilic response to the introduced bacteria during the experiment.
Surface Forms
Morphology
neutrophilic = neutrophile (semi-transparent) = neutro + phil + ic
The base word 'neutrophile' is clear, but the specific scientific context may not be obvious to all learners.
Etymology
Neutrophilic is built from neutro- 'neutral' and -philic 'loving', like in hydrophilic ('water-loving'). In medicine it means 'liking' or being 'linked to' 'neutrophils', which are common white blood cells, or to neutral dyes, so a neutrophilic sample shows many neutrophils or cells that take neutral stains.