What is the Origin of Serum Separation?

This technique is a fundamental and mandatory step in clinical laboratory science, developed alongside the earliest analytical methods for blood and fluid analysis. The term serum is Latin for "whey," referring to the clear fluid, and separation describes the mechanical process of isolating it from the denser cellular components. Its proper execution is a quality control measure.

What is the Mechanism of Serum Separation?

The centrifugation process applies high gravitational force, causing the denser cellular components, including red and white blood cells and platelets, to pellet at the bottom of the collection tube. The remaining supernatant, the serum, is then carefully pipetted off. This mechanism ensures that subsequent hormone assays are performed on a cell-free matrix, preventing cellular interference or enzymatic degradation of the target analytes, thereby preserving sample integrity.

Serum Separation ∞ Area

Serum Separation

Meaning

Serum Separation is a critical and time-sensitive pre-analytical laboratory procedure involving the centrifugation of a whole blood sample to isolate the serum, which is the clear, liquid component of the blood that remains after the clotting process has occurred. Serum contains the majority of circulating hormones, proteins, and metabolites, making this isolation step essential for accurate clinical chemistry and endocrinology testing.