serum

serum definition - medical

se·rum (sîrˈəm)

noun pl. se·rums or se·ra (sîrˈə)
  1. A watery fluid, especially one that moistens the surface of serous membranes or that is exuded by such membranes when they become inflamed.
  2. The clear yellowish fluid obtained upon separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components.
  3. Such fluid from the tissues of immunized animals, containing antibodies and used to transfer immunity to another individual.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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