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centrifugation

Medical term Processing

Spinning specimens to separate cells from serum or plasma, using the tube maker's time and speed; serum tubes must finish clotting first.

Related terms

  • plasmaThe liquid part of unclotted blood, separated by centrifuging a tube that contains an anticoagulant; it…
  • serumThe liquid left after blood clots and is centrifuged; it lacks the clotting factors used up in the clot…
  • aliquotA portion of serum, plasma or urine transferred from the original tube into a labeled secondary tube, so…
  • analytical phaseThe testing step itself, when the instrument or test system measures the specimen.
  • buffy coatNarrow whitish band of white cells and platelets resting between packed red cells and plasma after an…
  • Category B infectious substanceShipping class for specimens that may hold infectious agents but are not high risk; labeled UN3373 and…
  • centrifugeMachine that spins tubes fast to separate serum or plasma from cells. Load matched, balanced tubes; open the…
  • chain of custodySigned, dated record of each person who has a specimen, from collection to disposal, so a forensic or…
  • clotting timeThe time a serum tube stands at room temperature, as the tube maker specifies, so the clot forms fully…
  • critical valueA result showing a possibly life-threatening condition (a panic or alert value); the lab must tell the…

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