English Explanatory Dictionary

Rhesus system

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. A blood group system, the second most important after the ABO system, and important in human blood transfusion, whereby blood types are classified according to the presence ("positive") or absence ("negative") of potentially over 50 antigens, of which the most commonly referenced is RhD.

Word forms

Rhesus system

Etymology

So named because the first identified antigen (RhD) was originally believed to be the same as one discovered in rhesus macaques.

Related words

Rh RhD Rhesus factor rhesus monkey Rhesus negative Rhesus positive blood type
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