Clinical Diagnosis · Haematological System · Medium

Thalassaemia

Meaning: An inherited blood disorder in which the body makes abnormal or reduced amounts of haemoglobin.

In practice: Beta thalassaemia major requires regular blood transfusions from early childhood.

Word parts

  • -aemia means a condition of the blood

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Quick check

Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: A premature heartbeat arising outside the normal rhythm, often felt as a skipped or extra beat.

Which word means: Inflammation of the coloured part of the eye, a form of anterior uveitis.

Words like thalassaemia come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More clinical diagnosis terms · All medical words