1. Increase in the haemoglobin content of the blood, either because of a reduction in plasma volume or an increase in red cell numbers. The latter may be a result of abnormal proliferation of red cell precursors (polycythaemia vera, Vaquez Osler disease).
Origin: Gr. Haima = blood
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
