Thrombocytopenia - platelet counts below 100,000 μ/L

Thrombocytosis - too many platelets

Hematopoiesis - blood cell production

Reticulocyte - immature red blood cell

Autonomic Nervous System - governs involuntary functions of heart muscle, smooth muscle,
and glands through both efferent and afferent pathways

Central Nervous System - consists of the brain, spinal cord, and cranial nerves I and II

Peripheral Nervous System - consists of cranial nerves III to XII, spinal nerves, and peripheral
components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Blood-Brain Barrier - physiologic barrier between blood capillaries and brain tissue. This barrier
protects the brain from harmful agents, while allowing nutrients and gasses to enter.

Dermatome - area of skin innervated by the sensory fibers of a single dorsal root of a spinal
nerve

Ankylosis - Stiffness and fixation of a joint.

Antalgic gait - Shortened stride with minimal weight bearing on the affected side, resulting in a
limp.

Ataxic gait - Staggering, uncoordinated gait often with sway.

Steppage gait - Hip and knee flexion to clear the foot from the floor. Foot drop is evident, foot
slaps down and along the walking surface.

Spastic gait - Short steps with dragging of foot. Jerky, uncoordinated, cross-knee (scissor)
movement.
Red blood cell production-
Hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow, the red bone marrow to be specific.
Erythropoiesis (RBC production) is regulated by cellular O2 requirements and metabolic
activity. Erythropoiesis is stimulated by hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and controlled by
erythropoietin, a growth factor made and released primarily by the kidney. Erythropoietin
stimulates the bone marrow to increase RBC production. Many essential nutrients are needed for
erythropoiesis such as protein, iron, folate (folic acid), cobalamin (vitamin B12), riboflavin
(vitamin B2), niacin, and vitamin C. Endocrine hormones and certain medications, such as
thyroxine, corticosteroids, and testosterone, also affect RBC production. For example,
hypothyroidism is often associated with anemia. Hemolysis, the destruction of RBCs by
monocytes and macrophages, removes abnormal, defective, damaged, and old RBCs from
circulation. Hemolysis usually occurs in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen.