noun
blood cell
General term for any blood cell, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Used in medical and biological contexts.
血球の数が減少すると貧血になることがあります。
A decrease in the number of blood cells can lead to anemia.
この検査では血球の大きさや形を調べます。
This test examines the size and shape of blood cells.
Refers to platelets, another type of blood cell, though often discussed separately from 血球 in some contexts.
Compound of 血 (blood) and 球 (sphere, ball), literally 'blood sphere'. The term is a calque from Western medical terminology, likely from German or English 'blood cell'.