Definition
noun
(1) An increase in the number of circulating erythrocytes in the blood above the minimum normal level.
(2) Polycythemia vera.
Supplement
This condition may be due to the overproduction of red blood cells, especially when there is an abnormality of the bone marrow or hypoxia.
Word origin: erythro– » Greek erythrós (red, reddish) + cyt(o)– » Greek kyto– (container, receptacle, body) + –hemia » New Latin, from Greek –aimiā, from haima (blood).
Alternative form: erythrocythaemia.
Synonyms:
- erythrocytosis
- polycythemia vera
