sedimentation

sedimentation /sed·i·men·ta·tion/ (sed″ĭ-men-ta´shun) the settling out of sediment.

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sed·i·men·ta·tion (sd-mn-tshn)

n.

The act or process of depositing or forming a sediment.

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sedimentation

[sed′iməntā′shən]

Etymology: L, sedimentum, settling

the deposition of insoluble materials to the bottom of a liquid. The process may be accelerated by centrifugation.

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sedimentation

the settling out of sediment.

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sedimentation coefficient

the ratio of molecular velocity to centrifugal force usually expressed in Svedberg (S) units.

sedimentation rate

the rate at which a sediment is deposited in a given volume of solution, especially when subjected to the action of a centrifuge. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is the rate at which erythrocytes settle out of unclotted blood. Abbreviated sed. rate or ESR. The test is based on the fact that inflammatory processes cause an alteration in blood proteins, resulting in aggregation of the red cells, which makes them heavier and more likely to fall rapidly when placed in a special vertical test tube. Normal ranges vary according to the type of tube used, each type being of a different size, and with the species, horse erythrocytes falling faster than those of other species.