<P> The term `` Rh '' was originally an abbreviation of `` Rhesus factor . '' It was discovered in 1937 by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener who , at the time , believed it to be a similar antigen found in rhesus monkey red blood cells . It was subsequently learned the human factor is not identical to the rhesus monkey factor ; but by then , `` Rhesus Group '' and like terms were already in widespread , worldwide use . Thus , notwithstanding it is a misnomer , the term survives ( e.g. rhesus blood group system , and the obsolete terms rhesus factor , rhesus positive , and rhesus negative - all three which actually refer specifically and only to the Rh D factor ; and , thus , are misleading when unmodified ) . Contemporary practice is to use `` Rh '' as a term of art instead of `` Rhesus '' ; viz . `` Rh Group , '' `` Rh factors , '' `` Rh D , '' etc . </P>
<P> The term `` Rh '' was originally an abbreviation of `` Rhesus factor . '' It was discovered in 1937 by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener who , at the time , believed it to be a similar antigen found in rhesus monkey red blood cells . It was subsequently learned the human factor is not identical to the rhesus monkey factor ; but by then , `` Rhesus Group '' and like terms were already in widespread , worldwide use . Thus , notwithstanding it is a misnomer , the term survives ( e.g. rhesus blood group system , and the obsolete terms rhesus factor , rhesus positive , and rhesus negative - all three which actually refer specifically and only to the Rh D factor ; and , thus , are misleading when unmodified ) . Contemporary practice is to use `` Rh '' as a term of art instead of `` Rhesus '' ; viz . `` Rh Group , '' `` Rh factors , '' `` Rh D , '' etc . </P>
what is another name for the rh antigen
what is another name for the rh antigen
Rhesus factor .
Rhesus factor .