Rhesus factor
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- For others named Rhesus, see Rhesus.
The rhesus factor is a method of classifying blood types (see Blood Typing). The rhesus antigen is found on the surface of red blood cells. Originally discovered (and hence named for) in the Rhesus Macaque (Rhesus Monkey). Not all people contain Rhesus in their blood. Those who do have Rhesus in their blood are known as Rh postive, those who don't are Rh negative. However unlike the ABO system of blood classification where if a given person does contain an A, or B antigen the antibody is still present. If Rh is absent then, in most cases, the Rh antibody is also absent.
de:Rhesusfaktor es:Factor Rh fr:Groupe Rhésus lt:Rezus faktorius ja:Rh因子 nl:Rhesusfactor pl:Rh pt:Factor Rh