aplastic anemia

noun

, Pathology.

1. severe anemia due to destruction or depressed functioning of the bone marrow, usually resulting from bone cancer, radiation, or the toxic effects of certain drugs or chemicals.

aplastic anemia

/ ā-plăs′tĭk /

1. A form of anemia in which the capacity of the bone marrow to generate red blood cells is defective. Aplastic anemia may be caused by bone marrow disease or exposure to toxic agents, such as radiation, chemicals, or drugs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aplastic anemia¹

First recorded in 1930–35; a- ⁶ + -plastic