Page 10 - Clinical Biochemistry 08PB804

• Peripheral blood: Blood obtained from parts of the body that are located at some distance
from the heart. Examples are blood drawn from the earlobe, fingertip.

Miscellaneous Body Fluids:

Amniotic fluid

The fluid that surrounds the foetus in the amniotic sac. A specimen is obtained by a technique
called amniocentesis in which a long needle is inserted into the amniotic sac through the
abdominal wall.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A clear, colourless fluid that fills spaces within and around the central nervous system.

Lymph

A yellowish fluid. Lymph is collected from peripheral tissues throughout the body and is
carried in lymph vessels to the circulatory system.

Saliva

The clear, viscous secretion from the parotid, submaxillary, sublingual, and smaller mucous
glands in the cavity of the mouth.

Pericardial fluid

Fluid that accumulates in the pericardium, a closed sac of tissue surrounding the heart.

Peritoneal fluid (Ascites, ascetic fluid)

Fluid that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen, often due to hepatic cirrhosis.

Pleural fluid (pleural effusion)

Fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs.

Objectives:

By the end of this chapter, the student should be aware of the definition of some terms,
types of laboratory tests, identification of patients and specimens and body fluids and
sampling