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neutrophilic

neutrophilic

1 8.5
Relating to neutrophils, a common white blood cell, or to dyes that stain these cells
  • adjective
  • /ˌnjuːtrəˈfɪlɪk/
  • Specialized
: neutrofílico
  • 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

neutrophilic positive

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.