Hematology Flashcards
Define Hematopoiesis
Refers to the production of blood cells and platelets
Platelets are also called what?
Thrombocytes
What is the fluid component of blood?
Plasma
What are the cellular components of blood?
Erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets
How are leukocytes (WBC) differentiated?
Based on the presence or absence of granules that stain in specific ways
What cells may contain granules in very small numbers?
Agranulocytes- lymphocytes and monocytes, also known as mononuclear leukocytes
Name the three granulocytes (AKA polymorphonuclear leukocytes-(refers to segmentation or lobulation of nucleus))
Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes only applies to which species?
Mammals, Nuclear segmentation is less prominent in birds and reptiles
What percentage of blood plasma is water?
90%
What is the primary site for RBC production in adult mammals?
Red bone marrow
Define erythropoiesis
production of erythrocytes
Define leukopoiesis
production of leukocytes
Define thrombopoiesis
production of platelets
All blood cells arise from what
hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)
What does a “left shift” refer to?
Increased number of immature neutrophils in the blood
Define leukemoid response
Condition that can be mistaken for leukemia. Usually the result of an inflammatory disease. Characterized by marked leukocytosis >50,000/mL
Why shouldn’t Heparin be used if blood sample is drawn for differential blood film analysis?
It interferes with the staining of WBC
Describe how to calculate MCV
PCV divided by RBC concentration and then multiply by 10. Expressed as femtoliter (fL)
Describe how to calculate MCH
Hemoglobin divided by RBC concentration and then multiply by 10. Expressed as picograms (pg)
Describe how to calculate MCHC
Hemoglobin (hb) divided by PCV and then multiply by 100. Expresses as g/dL
Define Döhle bodies
coarse cytoplasmic inclusions representing ribosomal material; single or multiple light blue or gray areas in cytoplasm of neutrophils; common in felines; might be seen with chronic bacterial infection and some viral diseases
Define Hypersegmentation
neutrophil nucleus with more than six lobes; associated with a variety of conditions, such as
chronic infection, pernicious anemia, and steroid use
Define Karyorrhexis/karyolysis/pyknosis
condensed, lysed, or damaged nucleus; when seen in white blood cells in the peripheral circulation, caused by use of inappropriate anticoagulants (i.e., an artifact)
Define Vacuolization
one of several toxic changes seen in both
lymphocytes and neutrophils; associated with septicemia; also produced as an artifact if sample held for extended time in anticoagulant
Define Toxic granulation
appearance of numerous large granules in the cytoplasm of neutrophils that range in color
from purplish blue to red; seen in most infectious diseases
Define Juvenile forms of WBC
immature white blood cells seen in a
variety of conditions resulting from increased bone marrow activity; in most species, small numbers of band neutrophils can normally be seen in the peripheral circulation; appearance of increased numbers of band cells and/or more immature forms of any of the leukocytes is referred to as a left shift.
Describe Reactive lymphocytes
cells with dark blue cytoplasm and darker nucleus; seen in chronic infection
Describe Atypical lymphocytes
represent a variety of changes within lymphocytes, including eosinophilic cytoplasm and changes in nuclear texture
Describe Basket cells
common term used to describe degenerative white blood cells that have ruptured; also referred to as smudge cells; can be an artifact if blood is held
too long before making the smear; also associated with
leukemia
Define anisocytosis
variation in red blood cell size seen in splenic or liver disorders; sign of regeneration of anemia
Define macrocytosis
larger-than-normal immature red blood cells that appear as reticulocytes when new methylene
blue stain is used
Define microcytosis
smaller-than-normal red blood cells often seen in iron-deficient patients
Define normocytes in reference to RBC
biconcave disks in canine, round cells in felines
Define poikilocytes
a generic term for any abnormally shaped cell; specific abnormality should be further characterized, as appropriate
Define schistocytes (AKA schizocytes)
fragmented red blood cells caused by vascular trauma; seen in disseminated intravascular coagulation and neoplasia
Define acanthocytes
long, irregular projections from red blood cell surface
Define echinocytes
scalloped border (regular projections) from red blood cell surface
Define spherocytes
small, dense red blood cells with no area of central pallor
Define stomatocytes
red blood cells with a slitlike center opening; seen in regeneration of anemia
Define leptocytes
red blood cells with an increase in membrane surface relative to cell volume, also called target cells or codocytes
Define polychromasia
cells that exhibit a bluish tint
Define hypochromasia
cells with an increase in the area of central pallor
Describe Heinz bodies
round structures within the red blood cell that represent denatured hemoglobin, sometimes small numbers are seen in cats. Heinz body can be caused by onion toxicity or acetaminophen toxicity
Describe basophilic stippling
bluish granular bodies on the surface of the red blood cells, this abnormality is seen in ruminants with regenerative anemia
When are nucleated red blood cells seen
regenerative anemias, lead poisoning, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and bone marrow disease
Describe Howell-Jolly bodies
basophilic nuclear remnants in the red blood cell, commonly found in fats with feline regenerative anemias
When are nucleated red blood cells seen
regenerative anemias, lead poisoning, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and bone marrow disease
Describe Pelger-Huët anomaly
It is a congenital hereditary defect that is characterized by the hypo segmentation of all granulocyte nuclei. Nuclear chromatin appears condensed but unsegmented and the cytoplasm of affected cells appears normal. Eosinophils and basil fills may also be affected.
Describe karyolysis
a degenerative change to the nucleus that is characterized by dissolution of nuclear membrane- usually affects neutrophils, assoc. with presence of septic exudates
Describe karyorrhexis
fragmentation of nucleus after cell death
cell death = apoptosis
Describe pyknosis
refers to condensing of nucleus as cell dies
What does an increased number of circulation reticulocytes indicate?
Regenerative anemia
Examples of Romanowsky stains
Diff-Quik, DipStat, Wright’s stain
Define hemostasis
Refers to the ability of the body’s systems to maintain the integrity of the blood and blood vessels
What is blood coagulation factor I?
Fibrinogen
What is blood coagulation factor II?
Prothrombin
What is blood coagulation factor III?
Tissue factor
What is blood coagulation factor IV?
Calcium
What is blood coagulation factor V?
Proaccelerin
What is blood coagulation factor VI?
There is none
What is blood coagulation factor VII?
Proconvertin
What is blood coagulation factor VIII?
Antihemophilic factor
What is blood coagulation factor IX?
Christmas factor, plasma thromboplastin
What is blood coagulation factor X?
Stuart factor
What is blood coagulation factor XI?
Plasma thromboplastin antecedent
What is blood coagulation factor XII?
Hageman factor
What is blood coagulation factor XIII?
Fibrin-stabilizing factor, prekallikrein
Define cholestasis
Bile duct obstruction
What does ACTH stand for
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
