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Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Glossary - College of American ...

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1 Blood<br />

Introduction<br />

Cell Identification<br />

This glossary corresponds to the master list for hematology; <strong>and</strong> it will assist Survey participants in the proper<br />

identification <strong>of</strong> blood cells in photographs <strong>and</strong> virtual slides. Descriptions are for cells found in blood smears or<br />

aspirated bone marrow particles stained with Wright-Giemsa.<br />

Myeloid: Granulocytic<br />

<strong>and</strong> Monocytic Cells<br />

Basophil, Any Stage<br />

Cells in the basophil line have a maturation sequence<br />

analogous to the neutrophil line. At the myelocyte<br />

stage, when specific granules begin to develop,<br />

basophil precursors can be identified. All basophils,<br />

from the basophilic myelocyte to the mature segmented<br />

basophil, are characterized by the presence<br />

<strong>of</strong> a moderate number <strong>of</strong> coarse <strong>and</strong> densely stained<br />

granules <strong>of</strong> varying sizes <strong>and</strong> shapes. The granules are<br />

larger than neutrophilic granules <strong>and</strong> most are roughly<br />

spherical. The predominant color <strong>of</strong> the granules in<br />

Wright-Giemsa stained preparations is blue-black, but<br />

some may be purple to red. The granules are unevenly<br />

distributed <strong>and</strong> frequently overlay <strong>and</strong> obscure the<br />

nucleus. Basophils are increased in the blood in several<br />

states including myeloproliferative neoplasms,<br />

hypersensitivity reactions, hypothyroidism, iron<br />

deficiency, <strong>and</strong> renal disease.<br />

Eosinophil, Any Stage<br />

Eosinophils are round to oval leukocytes that are<br />

present in the blood, bone marrow, <strong>and</strong> tissues <strong>of</strong><br />

normal individuals. They are generally easily recognized<br />

due to their characteristic coarse orange-red<br />

granulation. They are the same size as neutrophilic<br />

cells, 10 to 15 μm for mature forms <strong>and</strong> 10 to 18 μm for<br />

immature forms. The N:C ratio ranges from 1:3 for<br />

mature forms to 2:1 for immature forms. Their abundant<br />

cytoplasm is generally evenly filled by numerous coarse,<br />

orange-red granules <strong>of</strong> uniform size. These granules<br />

rarely overlie the nucleus <strong>and</strong> exhibit a refractile<br />

appearance with light microscopy due to their<br />

crystalline structure. This refractile appearance is not<br />

apparent in photomicrographs or pictures. Due to<br />

inherent problems with the color rendition on<br />

photomicrographs, which is sometimes imperfect,<br />

eosinophilic granules may appear lighter or darker than<br />

on a freshly stained blood film. Discoloration may give<br />

the granules a blue, brown, or pink tint. Nonetheless,<br />

the uniform, coarse nature <strong>of</strong> eosinophilic granules<br />

is characteristic <strong>and</strong> differs from the smaller, finer<br />

granules <strong>of</strong> neutrophilic cells. Occasionally, eosinophils<br />

can become degranulated with only a few orange-red<br />

granules remaining visible within the faint pink<br />

cytoplasm.<br />

In the most mature eosinophilic form, the nucleus is<br />

segmented into two or more lobes connected by a thin<br />

filament. About 80% <strong>of</strong> segmented eosinophils will have<br />

the classic two-lobed appearance. Typically, these<br />

lobes are <strong>of</strong> equal size <strong>and</strong> round to ovoid or potatoshaped<br />

with dense, compact chromatin. The remainder<br />

<strong>of</strong> segmented eosinophils will have three lobes <strong>and</strong> an<br />

occasional cell will exhibit four to five lobes.<br />

800-323-4040 | 847-832-7000 Option 1 | cap.org<br />

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