(hē-măt′ō-krĭt)
[Pronunciation]
[″ + krinein, to separate]

1. An obsolete term for a centrifuge for separating solids from plasma in the blood.
2. The volume of erythrocytes packed by centrifugation in a given volume of blood.
The hematocrit is expressed as the percentage of total blood volume that consists of erythrocytes or as the volume in cubic centimeters of erythrocytes packed by centrifugation of blood. Approximate normal values at sea level: men, average 47%, range 40% to 54%; women, average 42%, range 37% to 47%; children, varies with age from 35% to 49%; newborn, 49% to 54%.
See: blood