= microcytosis, n. Also: a disease characterized by microcytosis; spec. thalassaemia (now rare, perhaps obsolete).

The presence of an abnormally large number of microcytes in the blood; reduction in the size of red blood cells.

The dissolution or lysis of red blood cells with the consequent liberation of their hæmoglobin.

The presence of an abnormally large number of macrocytes in the blood.

= macrocytosis, n.

abnormal variation in the size of cells, esp. of the red blood corpuscles.

Pathology. The adoption of a crescent shape by red blood cells.

Medicine. = hyperchromia, n.

= hypochromia, n. b.

A hyperchromic condition of the blood or of an erythrocyte (see hyperchromic, adj. 1).

A hypochromic condition of the blood or of a red blood cell (see hypochromic, adj. 1).

any spherocytic condition.

A disorder of porphyrin metabolism in which there is excessive accumulation of protoporphyrin in the body; spec. (more fully erythropoietic protoporp…