Hemolysis or haemolysis (from the Greek (aima, haema, ) meaning "blood" and (lusis, , ) meaning a "loosing", "setting free" or "releasing"), is the rupturing of
erythrocytes (red blood cells) and the release of their contents (
cytoplasm) into surrounding fluid (e.g.
blood plasma). Hemolysis may occur
in vivo or
in vitro (inside or outside the body).