Leuco Health Dictionary

An abnormal mucous discharge from the vagina... leucorrhoea

A white blood cell.... leucocyte

Any white area on the skin... leucoderma

A condition in which the polymorphonuclear LEUCOCYTES in the blood are increased in number. It occurs in many di?erent circumstances, and forms a valuable means of diagnosis in certain diseases; however, the condition may occur as a normal reaction in certain conditions (e.g. pregnancy, menstruation, and during muscular exercise). It is usually due to the presence of in?ammatory processes (see INFLAMMATION) – the increased number of leucocytes helping to destroy the invading bacteria. Thus, during many acute infective diseases, such as pneumonia, the number is greatly increased. In all suppurative conditions (where PUS is formed) there is also a leucocytosis, and if it seems that an ABSCESS is forming deep in the abdomen, or in some other site where it cannot be readily examined – as, for example, an abscess resulting from APPENDICITIS – the examination of a drop of blood gives a valuable aid in the diagnosis, and may be su?cient, in the absence of other signs, to point out the urgent need of an operation.... leucocytosis

A condition in which the number of LEUCOCYTES in the blood is greatly reduced – by, say, ANAEMIA or cancer. It is also a dangerous sign in severe SEPTICAEMIA.... leucopenia

See LEUKOPLAKIA.... leucoplakia

See PSYCHOSURGERY.... leucotomy

Willd.

Synonym: A. alba Willd.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Indies; now occurring throughout India.

English: Cassie Flower, Cassie Absolute, Sweet Acacia.

Ayurvedic: Arimeda, Vitkhadira.

Unani: Vilaayati Kikar, Gandbabuul, Guyaa Babuul, Durgandh Khair.

Siddha/Tamil: Kastuurivel, Vedday- ala.

Action: Bark—astringent, demulcent, anthelmintic, antidysenteric, anti-inflammatory (used in stomatitis, ulcers, swollen gums, dental caries, bronchitis, skin diseases).

Ripe pods contain tannins and several polyphenolic compounds. Essential oil from pods—direct muscle relaxant, cardiac depressant and sedative.

Various plant parts are used in insanity, epilepsy, delirium and convulsions.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Dry regions of the country, especially in Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

English: White Babul.

Ayurvedic: Arimeda, Arimedaka, Arimanja, Irimeda, Vitakhadir, Godhaa-skandha, Raamaka.

Unani: Kath Safed, Vilaayati Babuul, Guyaa Babuul.

Siddha/Tamil: Valval, Velvayalam.

Folk: Safed Babuul, Safed Kikar, Renvaa.

Action: Bark—bitter, demulcent and cooling; used in biliousness and bronchitis. Seeds—haemaggluti- nating activity has been reported. Leaves—antisyphilitic and antibacterial. Gum—demulcent.

EtOH (50%) extract of aerial parts— hypotensive and central nervous system depressant.

The rootbark contains leucophleol, leucophleoxol and leucoxol.... acacia leucophloea

See HLA SYSTEM.... human leucocyte antigen (hla)

The scienti?c name for white blood cells. Leucocytes contain no HAEMOGLOBIN so are colourless, and have a well-formed NUCLEUS. Healthy people have around 8,000 leucocytes per cubic millimetre of blood. There are three main classes of white cells: granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes.

Granulocytes Also known as polymorphonuclear leucocytes (‘polys’), these normally constitute 70 per cent of the white blood cells. They are divided into three groups according to the staining reactions of these granules: neutrophils, which stain with neutral dyes and constitute 65–70 per cent of all the white blood cells; eosinophils, which stain with acid dyes (e.g. eosin) and constitute 3–4 per cent of the total white blood cells; and basophils, which stain with basic dyes (e.g. methylene blue) and constitute about 0·5 per cent of the total white blood cells.

Lymphocytes constitute 25–30 per cent of the white blood cells. They have a clear, non-granular cytoplasm and a relatively large nucleus which is only slightly indented. They are divided into two groups: small lymphocytes, which are slightly larger than erythrocytes (about 8 micrometres in diameter); and large lymphocytes, which are about 12 micrometres in diameter.

Monocytes Motile phagocytic cells that circulate in the blood and migrate into the tissues, where they develop into various forms of MACROPHAGE such as tissue macrophages and KUPFFER CELLS.

Site of origin The granulocytes are formed in the red BONE MARROW. The lymphocytes are formed predominantly in LYMPHOID TISSUE. There is some controversy as to the site of origin of monocytes: some say they arise from lymphocytes, whilst others contend that they are derived from histiocytes – i.e. the RETICULO-ENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM.

Function The leucocytes constitute one of the most important of the defence mechanisms against infection. This applies particularly to the neutrophil leucocytes (see LEUCOCYTOSIS). (See also ABSCESS; BLOOD – Composition; INFLAMMATION; PHAGOCYTOSIS; WOUNDS.)... leucocytes

(Greek) In mythology, a sea nymph

Leucothia, Leucothiah, Leucotheah... leucothea

Linn. f.

Family: Verbenaceae.

Habitat: Throughout Deccan Peninsula.

Ayurvedic: Paaraavata-padi, Kaakajanghaa. (Kaakajanghaa is also equated with Leea aequata Linn.)

Action: Roots—febrifuge, astringent.

Ethanolic extract and cold aqueous infusion of the leaf were found to suppress acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema in rats. The flavonoids exhibited anti-inflammatory activity.... vitex leucoxylon

(differential blood count) a determination of the proportions of the different kinds of white cells (leucocytes) present in a sample of blood. Usually 100 white cells are counted and classified under the microscope or by electronic apparatus, so that the results can readily be expressed as percentages of the total number of leucocytes and the absolute numbers per litre of blood. The information often aids diagnosis of disease.... differential leucocyte count

see HLA system.... human leucocyte antigen system

n. the presence of excess white blood cells (leucocytes) in the semen (more than 1 million/ml). It has an adverse effect on fertility.... leucocytospermia

n. see lysin.... leucolysin

n. a white opacity occurring in the cornea. Most leucomas result from scarring after corneal inflammation or ulceration. Congenital types may be associated with other abnormalities of the eye.... leucoma

n. white discoloration of the nails, which may be total or partial. There are many causes.... leuconychia

n. the process of the production of white blood cells (leucocytes), which normally occurs in the blood-forming tissue of the *bone marrow. See also granulopoiesis; haemopoiesis; lymphopoiesis; monoblast.... leucopoiesis

(leukostasis) n. abnormal leucocyte aggregation and clumping associated with a very high white blood cell count, often seen in *leukaemia patients. The brain and lungs are the two most commonly affected organs.... leucostasis

(PVL) softening of white matter around the ventricles of the brain in preterm infants due to a decreased blood supply to the brain, usually associated with *hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Diagnosis is by ultrasound, which shows increased density and, later, cysts in the periventricular area. The brain damage can cause visual impairment and cerebral palsy.... periventricular leucomalacia