What is the medical terminology for blood transfusion?

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 14 million units of blood are transfused annually in the United States alone. The medical terminology for blood transfusion is, most simply, 'transfusion,' although a variety of more specific terms exist depending on the context. This guide provides an authoritative overview of these terms, from the basic to the more specific.

Quick Summary

The medical term for blood transfusion is 'transfusion,' a procedure involving the introduction of blood or blood components into a patient's bloodstream. Specific types, such as 'allogeneic' and 'autologous' transfusions, indicate the blood's origin, offering greater detail to healthcare providers and patients alike.

Key Points

Basic Term: The simple medical terminology for a blood transfusion is 'transfusion'.
Allogeneic Transfusion: Involves receiving blood from a donor other than oneself.
Autologous Transfusion: Refers to receiving one's own blood, collected and stored in advance for a planned procedure.
Component-Specific Transfusions: Include procedures for administering packed red blood cells (PRBCs), platelets, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP).
Pre-Transfusion Safety: Compatibility testing, known as crossmatching, is performed to ensure a safe transfusion and prevent reactions.
Advanced Procedure: Apheresis is an automated donation process for collecting specific blood components while returning the rest of the blood to the donor.

Introduction to Transfusion Medicine

Beyond the common phrase "blood transfusion," the medical field employs precise language to describe this life-saving procedure and its many nuances. Transfusion medicine is the branch of medicine dedicated to the entire process, including collection, processing, and administration of blood and its various components. Whether replacing blood lost during a severe accident or supporting a patient undergoing cancer treatment, understanding the correct terminology is vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Types of Transfusions and Their Terminology

Different clinical scenarios require different types of transfusions, each with its own specific medical term. The primary distinction is the source of the blood.

Allogeneic vs. Autologous Transfusions

Allogeneic Transfusion: This is the most common type, where blood or blood products are transferred from one person (the donor) to another (the recipient). This is also sometimes referred to as a homologous transfusion.
Autologous Transfusion: In this procedure, the patient receives their own blood, which was collected and stored before the procedure, such as a scheduled surgery. This minimizes the risk of transfusion-related infections or immune reactions.

Component Therapy Transfusions

Transfusions often involve specific components of blood rather than whole blood. This allows for targeted treatment based on the patient's needs.

Packed Red Blood Cell (PRBC) Transfusion: The administration of concentrated red blood cells, used primarily to treat anemia and replace red cells lost during trauma or surgery.
Platelet Transfusion: The infusion of platelets, the cell fragments responsible for blood clotting. This is necessary for patients with low platelet counts or dysfunctional platelets, a common issue in chemotherapy patients.
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) Transfusion: The administration of the liquid component of blood, rich in clotting factors and proteins. This is used for patients with liver failure, severe infections, or bleeding disorders.
Cryoprecipitate (Cryo) Transfusion: The infusion of a plasma component containing specific clotting factors like Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, and fibrinogen, used for treating specific bleeding disorders.
Granulocyte Transfusion: The infusion of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, to help fight severe bacterial and fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.

Related Medical Terminology

In addition to the specific types of transfusions, several other terms are critical in the field of transfusion medicine. Understanding these helps in comprehending the entire process, from donation to administration.

Glossary of Blood-Related Terms

Apheresis: A procedure where blood is drawn from a donor, separated into its components by a machine, and the unneeded parts are returned to the donor. This process is used for donating specific components like platelets or plasma.
Leukoreduction: A process in which white blood cells are removed from a blood product by filtration. This reduces the risk of certain transfusion reactions and disease transmission.
Crossmatching: A compatibility test performed before a transfusion to ensure that the donor and recipient blood are compatible, preventing a severe immune reaction.
Hemovigilance: The systematic monitoring of the transfusion process to track and investigate any adverse events or reactions.
Hematology: The medical specialty concerned with the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in this field.

Comparison of Transfusion Types


Feature	Allogeneic Transfusion	Autologous Transfusion	Component Transfusion	Apheresis
Source of Blood	Donor other than the patient	Patient's own blood	Donor other than the patient	Donor other than the patient
Primary Purpose	Emergency or routine replacement	Planned procedure, lower risk	Replenish specific blood part	Collection of specific blood part
Required Lead Time	Immediate availability	Pre-planned, requires storage	Immediate availability	Pre-planned, longer procedure
Risk of Reaction	Higher, requires compatibility testing	Minimal to none	Varies by component	Risks for donor, not recipient
Best For	Trauma, severe bleeding	Scheduled surgery	Anemia, clotting disorders	Platelet or plasma donation

The Clinical Procedure: An Overview

The process of a blood transfusion begins long before the blood is administered. It involves a meticulous workflow to ensure safety and efficacy.

Donation and Collection: Blood is donated by volunteers at blood banks or collection centers. The process can be for whole blood or, through apheresis, for specific components like plasma or platelets.
Processing and Testing: Donated blood is subjected to rigorous testing for compatibility (blood type) and transmissible diseases like HIV and hepatitis. It is also often separated into components.
Crossmatching: The recipient's blood is tested against the donor's blood to confirm compatibility and prevent a transfusion reaction.
Administration: The blood product is delivered to the patient via an intravenous (IV) line, typically in the arm. The patient is monitored closely for any adverse reactions.

Conclusion: Clarity in Medical Language

The term "transfusion" serves as the fundamental medical terminology for blood transfusion. However, the use of more specific terms like allogeneic, autologous, or component-specific transfusions is essential for medical professionals to communicate precisely about a patient's treatment. This specialized vocabulary ensures that patients receive the exact blood products they need, optimizing safety and outcomes. As a patient, having a basic understanding of these terms can provide clarity and reduce anxiety during a medical procedure.

For more in-depth information about blood donation and transfusion, you can visit the American Red Cross website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most basic medical term for a blood transfusion is simply 'transfusion'. For more specific procedures, terms like 'allogeneic transfusion' (from a donor) or 'autologous transfusion' (from oneself) are used.

An allogeneic blood transfusion is a procedure where a patient receives blood or blood products from a different person (the donor). This is the most common type of transfusion.

'Homologous' and 'allogeneic' are two terms for the same concept: a transfusion from one person to another person of the same species. They are often used interchangeably in a medical context.

An autologous blood transfusion involves collecting a patient's own blood and then re-infusing it back into them at a later time, typically during or after surgery. This method is the safest as it minimizes risks of infection or immune reaction.

Component therapy refers to transfusing specific parts of the blood, such as packed red blood cells, platelets, or fresh frozen plasma, rather than whole blood. This allows for targeted treatment based on the patient's specific needs.

A hematologist is a physician who specializes in the study of blood and blood-forming tissues. They are involved in diagnosing and treating blood disorders and overseeing transfusion medicine.

Apheresis is a specialized donation procedure where a donor's blood is passed through a machine that separates out a specific component, like platelets or plasma. The remaining blood is then returned to the donor. This process is used to collect specific blood components for subsequent transfusions.