hematopoiesis

[ hi-mat-oh-poi-ee-sis, hee-muh-toh-, hem-uh- ]

noun

1. the formation of blood.

Other Words From

• he·ma·to·poi·et·ic [hee-m, uh, -toh-poi-, et, -ik, hem-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hematopoiesis¹

From the New Latin word haematopoiēsis, dating back to 1850–55; hemato-, -poiesis

More About Hematopoiesis

What is hematopoiesis?

Hematopoiesis is the formation of blood.

Human blood cells are highly specialized, meaning they are formed to do specific jobs. Yet all blood cells come from the same place. Most of hematopoiesis begins in the bone marrow and blood-creating organs like the liver, where stem cells commit themselves to becoming a certain type of blood cell and are then transitioned into the bloodstream. 

Hematopoiesis begins when a stem cell receives a signal that a certain type of blood cell is needed. The cell will transition into a precursor cell for either red or white blood cells. Then the cells will begin moving through the body. Eventually, the cell will fully transition into a certain type of red or white cells, such as a granulocyte, erythrocyte, leukocyte, monocyte, or lymphocyte. Some of the matter and cytoplasm that the stem cells shed during their transition becomes blood platelets.

Example: When your body begins losing blood, your kidneys send a signal to your cells to accelerate the hematopoiesis process for red blood cells.

Where does hematopoiesis come from?

The first records of the term hematopoiesis come from around the 1850s. It comes from the New Latin term haematopoiēsis, which has the same meaning. 

Hematopoiesis is also sometimes referred to as hematogenesis or sanguification  and is a highly studied field of human biology. Hematopoiesis is affected by blood disorders, cancers such as leukemia, and sickle cell anemia.

Meanwhile, some bodily processes can help, aid, or improve hematopoiesis. Cardiovascular exercise, for example, can increase oxygen levels in the blood and hematopoietic organs and encourage the development of blood. Now you know one reason it’s good to go out for a walk!

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to hematopoiesis?

• hematopoietic (adjective)

What are some synonyms for hematopoiesis?

• hemopoiesis
• hematogenesis

What are some words that share a root or word element with hematopoiesis? 

• hematopoietic gland
• hematopoietic system
• hematopathology

What are some words that often get used in discussing hematopoiesis?

• blood
• cells
• creation

How is hematopoiesis used in real life?

Hematopoiesis is almost always used when discussing medicine, biology, or the health sciences. 

🩸As a folate antagonist, trimethoprim can impair hematopoiesis, causing hematological disorders such as megaloblastic anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia.

— PharmaFactz (@PharmaFactz) July 16, 2020

Congrats to rockstar @YaleMSTP @YaleMed student @zekavatm for her funded @nih_nhlbi F30 grant!
"Dissecting the impact of clonal hematopoiesis on atherosclerosis using multiscale 'omics" @hongyu_zhao @MGHHeartHealth @broadinstitute @PDSoros

— Pradeep Natarajan (@pnatarajanmd) July 3, 2019

Updated on February 27, 2023

Try using hematopoiesis!

True or False?

Stem cells are created by hematopoiesis.