leukocytes

[/ˈluːkəsaɪts/]
nounpl: leukocytes
leucócitos
1. White blood cells; cells in the blood that fight infection and disease by engulfing pathogens and producing antibodies
The patient's leukocytes count was elevated, indicating a possible infection.
A contagem de leucócitos do paciente estava elevada, indicando uma possível infecção.
2. Any of several types of colorless cells in blood plasma that function in the body's defense mechanisms
Different types of leukocytes include neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
Diferentes tipos de leucócitos incluem neutrófilos, linfócitos e monócitos.
In medical contexts, both Portuguese-speaking Brazil and Portugal use 'leucócitos' as the standard scientific term. The colloquial term 'glóbulos brancos' (white globules) is understood but less formal. This term is primarily used in healthcare, laboratory, and educational settings and is not part of everyday conversational Portuguese.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
white blood cellsWBCswhite corpuscles
Antonyms / Antônimos
erythrocytesred blood cells

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
leucócitos
Standard medical term used in Brazil
Portugal
leucócitos
Standard medical term used in Portugal; sometimes spelled 'glóbulos brancos' colloquially
Medical Portuguese
glóbulos brancos
Colloquial/lay term meaning 'white globules' used in both Brazil and Portugal

Related Words

leukocytosisleukopeniahematologyimmunologylymphocytesneutrophilsblood cellhemoglobin

Related Idioms & Phrases

low leukocyte count - leukopenia
high leukocyte count - leukocytosis
leukocyte differential - análise diferencial de leucócitos
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