Blood film terminology Flashcards
1
Q
Anisocytosis
A
Variation in RBC size
2
Q
Acanthocyte
A
RBCs with spicules on cell surface (making the membranes unstable)
Causes= splenectomy, alcoholic liver disease, abetalipoproteinaemia, spherocytosis
3
Q
Basophilic RBC stippling
A
Denatured RNA found in RBCs, indicating accelerated erythropoiesis or defective Hb synthesis.
Causes: lead poisoning, megaloblastic anaemia, myelodysplasia, liver disease, haemoglobinopathy (e.g. thal)
4
Q
Burr cells (echinocytes)
A
RBC projections
Cause= renal or liver failure
5
Q
Howell-Jolly bodies
A
DNA nuclear remnants in RBCs (normally removed by spleen).
Seen in: post-splenectomy, hyposplenism. Also in dyserythropoietic states: myelodysplasia and megaloblastic anaemia
