Clinical chemistry
Clinical chemistry is the measurement of chemical substances in blood, urine, and other body fluids to help diagnose disease and monitor health.
Clinical laboratory testing: The examination of patient specimens to support diagnosis, treatment, and health monitoring. Clinical chemistry is one major discipline within this broader testing system.
Blood plasma: The liquid component of blood containing water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, and waste products. Plasma is a common specimen for measuring circulating chemical constituents.
Comprehensive metabolic panel: A blood test panel measuring electrolytes, glucose, proteins, and markers of kidney and liver function. It combines many routine chemistry measurements into a single clinical assessment.
Hematology: The laboratory study of blood cells, blood-forming tissues, and related disorders. Hematology focuses chiefly on cells, while clinical chemistry measures dissolved substances and molecular analytes.
Reference interval: A range of laboratory results observed in a defined reference population. Measured concentrations are commonly judged against intervals established for particular tests.
Serum: The liquid remaining after blood has clotted, with clotting factors largely removed. Many chemistry panels measure analytes in serum rather than plasma.
Liver function tests: Blood tests measuring enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin associated with liver and biliary function. These results help identify patterns of liver-cell injury and impaired bile flow.
Medical microbiology: The laboratory identification and study of microorganisms that cause human disease. Microbiology investigates infectious agents rather than chiefly measuring body-fluid chemistry.
Analytical sensitivity: An assay's ability to detect small amounts or changes in an analyte. Sensitivity determines whether low concentrations can be measured reliably.
Electrolyte: A substance that forms electrically charged ions when dissolved in a fluid. Sodium, potassium, and chloride measurements assess fluid and acid–base balance.