whole blood

noun

: blood with all its components (as white and red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) intact that has been withdrawn from a donor into an anticoagulant solution

Note: Whole blood may be used in transfusions to restore blood volume especially after traumatic blood loss. It is often subjected to centrifugation to separate blood components for use in transfusion or for specimen testing.

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Cite this Entry

“Whole blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/whole%20blood. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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