transfusion /-f(y)o̅o̅″zhən/ [L, trans + fundere, to pour] , the introduction into the bloodstream of whole blood or blood components, such as plasma, platelets, or packed red blood cells. Whole blood may be infused into the recipient directly from a donor matched for the ABO blood group and antigenic subgroups, but more frequently the donor’s blood is collected and stored by a blood bank. See also blood transfusion.
