Hemoconia

/ˌhiːmoʊˈkoʊniə/ noun

Definition

Tiny dust-like particles found in the blood, which may be fragments of cells or other microscopic debris.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + 'konia' (dust). This term was coined in the late 19th century when microscopy became advanced enough to observe these sub-cellular particles in blood samples.

Kelly Says

When scientists first saw hemoconia under powerful microscopes, they couldn't quite figure out what it was—we now know some of it comes from damaged cells and damaged mitochondria that float through your bloodstream like microscopic dust bunnies.

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