Erythrocytes Ch 15 Flashcards
erythrocyte
a mature red blood cell (oxygen carrying cell)
erythr/o (combing form)
red
-cyte
cell
hemoglobin
the blood protein that transports oxygen
heme
the nonprotein, iron containing portion of hemoglobin
central pallor
the central pale area of the RBC that represents the thinnest part of the biconcave disc
myel/o
bone marrow (and spinal cord)
reticulocyte
an immature, non-nucleated erythrocyte characterized by polychromasia (wrights stain) or a meshlike pattern of threads (new methylene blue stain).
reticulocytosis
the increase of reticulocytes as the bone marrow responds to blood loss.
hematology
the study of blood
morphology
the study of form or shape
normocytic
normal cell size
macrocytic
larger than normal cell size
microcytic
smaller than normal size cell
poikilocytosis
condition of irregular cell; clinically means varied shapes of erythrocytes
poikilo
irregular
anisocytosis
condition of unequal cell size
normochromic
normal RBC color (has area of central pallor of normal size)
hypochromic
more than normal color (has enlarged area of central pallor- decreased hemoglobin concentrations in their cells, pale)
hyperchromic
less than normal color (has a decreased area of central pallor- increased hemoglobin concentrations in their cells but this makes the membrane shrink so that the amount of hemoglobin is contained in a smaller space which makes the cells appear darker, bluer, in color)
polychromasia
“condition of many colors” that appears all over blue tint of Wright-stained RBCs due to shrinking of the cell membrane; indicates slight immaturity of the erythrocyte
Rouleaux (roo-low)
RBCs that are arranged like stacks of coins on the peripheral blood smear; may be artifact or may be normal in species such as dogs or cats
Agglutination
Clumping of RBCs due to the presence of an antibody directed against RBC surface antigens that form a latticework that links them together.
