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Blood
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| A. Erythrocyte |
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Both in sections and in blood smears, erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC's) typically appear as acidophilic, biconcave discs without nuclei. However, they may vary considerably in shape and may be crenated (look knobby) and form rouleaux (stacks of cells). |
| B. Lymphocyte |
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Typically small to medium-sized cells with a dense, circular nucleus and scant to moderate amounts of blue-stained cytoplasm. They can be classified as small, medium or large depending on the relative amount of cytoplasm compared to the nucleus. |
| C. Monocyte |
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This, the largest of the leukocytes, usually a rather large cell in blood smears, with a large C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped nucleus. The cytoplasm is often stained blue and is free of granules. |
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| D. Neutrophil |
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The most common white cell in a blood smear. They are characterized by a multilobed nucleus surrounded by unstained cytoplasm that may contain small granules of various colors. Neutrophils from the blood of females may exhibit a drumstick-shaped Barr Body, which is the inactivated X chromosome. |
| E. Eosinophil |
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In a blood smear, look for cells filled with pink to red (eosinophilic) granules. They also have a bi-lobed nucleus. |
| Eosinophils are commonly found among the cells of the loose connective tissues, as seen in this section from the intestine. | ||||
| F. Basophil |
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Least common blood cell in a blood smear. These cells are filled with dark purple (metachromatically staining) granules. The blue-stained nucleus is usually not directly visible, but its presence often causes the center of the cell to appear more lightly stained. | |
| G. Platelets |
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Present throughout the blood smear. Look for small, lavender-staining, cytoplasmic fragments, which often form clumps of various sizes. |