US Medical Term · anatomy
White Blood Cells
Glóbulos blancos
Also: Leucocitos (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | White Blood Cells |
| Spanish (Español) | Glóbulos blancos |
| Chinese (中文) | 白血球 |
| Korean (한국어) | 백혈구 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Bạch cầu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Puting selula ng dugo |
| Portuguese (Português) | Leucócitos |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เม็ดเลือดขาว |
| Japanese (日本語) | 白血球 |
What it means
White blood cells are the cells of the immune system that protect your body against infection and disease. They are produced in the bone marrow and circulate through the blood and lymph nodes. There are several types, including neutrophils (which fight bacteria), lymphocytes (which produce antibodies and attack viruses), and monocytes. A complete blood count (CBC) blood test measures your white blood cell count. A high count can indicate infection, inflammation, or certain cancers like leukemia. A low count (called leukopenia) can occur after chemotherapy or with certain immune disorders, making you more vulnerable to infections. The white blood cell count is a key measure of immune health.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My white blood cell count is very high — the doctor thinks I may have an infection.
El conteo de glóbulos blancos está muy alto — el médico cree que puedo tener una infección.
My white blood cells are low after chemotherapy and I need to be careful about infections.
Los glóbulos blancos están bajos después de la quimioterapia y debo tener cuidado con las infecciones.
The doctor ordered a blood test to check my white blood cells.
El médico ordenó un análisis de sangre para revisar los glóbulos blancos.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026