[ plaz-muh-fuh-ree-sis ]
/ ˌplæz mə fəˈri sɪs /

noun Medicine/Medical.

a type of apheresis in which blood cells are returned to the bloodstream of the donor and the plasma is used, as for tranfusion.

Origin of plasmapheresis

First recorded in 1915–20; plasm- + apheresis Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for plasmapheresis


/ (ˌplæzməˈfɛrəsəs) /


(in blood transfusion) a technique for removing healthy or infected plasma by separating it from the red blood cells by settling or using a centrifuge and retransfusing the red blood cells into the donor or patient

Word Origin for plasmapheresis

C20: from plasm + Greek aphairesis taking away

Medicine definitions for plasmapheresis


[ plăz′mə-fə-rēsĭs, -fĕrə- ]


