Definition of Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy: Obtaining blood from a vein. In the old days, this was done by incising (cutting) a vein and just letting the blood flow into a container. Today phlebotomy is done more neatly by puncturing a vein with a needle.
Phlebotomy may be done in order to obtain blood for diagnostic tests or to remove blood for treatment purposes (eg, to relieve the iron overload in hemochromatosis).
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4875
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM
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