rhesus factor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowMedical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “rhesus factor” mean?
An antigen (specifically the D antigen) present on the surface of red blood cells in most people, which determines Rh blood group status.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An antigen (specifically the D antigen) present on the surface of red blood cells in most people, which determines Rh blood group status.
The blood protein which, if present, makes a person's blood type Rh positive, and if absent, Rh negative. Incompatibility between a mother's and baby's Rh status can cause medical complications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is identically used in both medical communities.
Connotations
Purely technical/medical; no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Identically low frequency in both varieties, confined to medical/biological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “rhesus factor” in a Sentence
have + the rhesus factorbe + rhesus factor positive/negativetest + for the rhesus factorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rhesus factor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The rhesus factor status is checked early in pregnancy.
- She needed a rhesus factor screening test.
American English
- The rhesus factor test results came back positive.
- Rhesus factor incompatibility is a serious concern.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and genetics textbooks and research.
Everyday
Used when discussing blood donation, pregnancy, or personal medical history.
Technical
Core term in haematology, obstetrics, and transfusion medicine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rhesus factor”
- Misspelling as 'rhesus fakctor' or 'reesus factor'. Incorrectly using it as a standalone blood type (e.g., 'My blood type is rhesus') instead of as a modifier (e.g., 'I am rhesus positive').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was first identified in the blood of Rhesus macaque monkeys in 1937 by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener.
If an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive baby, her immune system may see the baby's Rh factor as foreign and produce antibodies that can attack the baby's red blood cells, causing haemolytic disease.
Yes, 'Rh factor' is the common abbreviation for 'rhesus factor'.
No, your Rh status (positive or negative) is genetically determined and remains the same for life.
An antigen (specifically the D antigen) present on the surface of red blood cells in most people, which determines Rh blood group status.
Rhesus factor is usually medical/technical in register.
Rhesus factor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈriːsəs ˌfæktə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈriːsəs ˌfæktɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rh negative/positive”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a Rhesus monkey (where the antigen was first discovered) being a 'factor' in determining your blood type.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOOD TYPE IS A MARKER (a defining characteristic present or absent on a surface).
Practice
Quiz
What does a 'negative rhesus factor' mean?