buffy coat
Medical term Phlebotomy
The thin pale layer of white cells and platelets between red cells and plasma in centrifuged blood.
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Related terms
- plasmaThe liquid part of blood, mostly water, that carries blood cells and dissolved substances.
- additiveA substance in a blood tube, such as an anticoagulant or clot activator, that prepares the specimen for…
- anticoagulantA substance that prevents blood from clotting, such as heparin, EDTA or sodium citrate in tubes, or warfarin…
- basilic veinA superficial vein on the little-finger side of the arm; it lies near the brachial artery and a nerve, so it…
- butterfly needleA winged infusion set: a needle with plastic wings and tubing, used with a syringe or evacuated tubes.
- capillary puncturePuncturing the skin of a fingertip or infant heel with a lancet to collect a small blood sample, often for…
- centrifugeA machine that spins specimens at high speed to separate serum or plasma from blood cells.
- cephalic veinA superficial vein on the thumb side of the arm, often used for venipuncture.
- chain of custodyWritten documentation of everyone who handles a specimen, such as for a drug test, from collection to…