Medical laboratory facts for kids

Medical laboratory scientist testing a sample

A medical laboratory is a special place where scientists do tests. They look at samples from people, like blood or other body fluids. The main goal is to find out important information about a person's health. This helps doctors understand what might be making someone sick. It also helps them decide the best way to help patients get better.

What Happens in a Medical Lab?

Medical labs are busy places. Scientists use special tools and machines to study tiny parts of samples. They might look for signs of infection or check how well organs are working. These tests give doctors clues about a patient's condition.

Types of Tests Performed

Labs perform many different kinds of tests. They often check:

• Blood: To see if there are enough red blood cells or if there's an infection.
• Urine: To check for problems with the kidneys or bladder.
• Tissue: Small pieces of tissue can be examined to look for diseases.
• Other body fluids: Such as saliva or spinal fluid, depending on what the doctor needs to know.

Key Areas of Study in Medical Labs

Medical laboratories are organized into different sections. Each section focuses on a specific type of test.

Chemistry Tests

This section looks at chemicals in the body. For example, they might measure sugar levels to check for diabetes. They also check how well organs like the liver and kidneys are working.

Immunology Tests

Immunology is about your body's defense system, called the immune system. These tests help find out if your body is fighting off infections. They can also check for allergies or autoimmune diseases.

Hematology Tests

Hematology focuses on blood and blood-forming organs. Scientists here count different types of blood cells. They look for problems like anemia, which means you don't have enough red blood cells. They also check how well your blood clots.

Microbiology Tests

This area deals with tiny living things called microbes. These include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Microbiologists try to find out if these microbes are causing an infection. They also help doctors choose the right medicine to fight the infection.

Transfusion Medicine

This section is very important for blood transfusions. They make sure that donated blood is safe for patients. They also match blood types carefully to prevent serious reactions.

Images for kids

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  Clinical laboratory in a hospital setting showing several automated analysers.

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  Laboratory equipment for hematology (black analyser) and urinalysis (left of the open centrifuge).

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  Clinical laboratory in a Hospital setting with two technologists shown.

See also

In Spanish: Laboratorio clínico para niños