Lecture 4: Hematology II Flashcards
What is the function of an erythrocyte?
They contain a protein called, hemoglobin to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide from the lungs to tissue
What is the size of an erythrocyte?
6 to 8 µm
What is the function of a leukocyte?
It defends the body against infection and disease by ingesting foreign materials and cellular debris by destroying infectious agents and cancer cells or by producing antibodies
What is the size of a leukocyte?
6 to 22 µm
What is the function of a thrombocyte?
Thrombocytes are pieces of very large cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. They help form blood clots to slower stop bleeding, and help wounds heal.
What is the size of a thrombocyte?
1.5 to 4 µm
What are the three main parts of a peripheral blood smear?
Differential: counting and identifying 100 leukocytes. Evaluation of thrombocytes: estimation of platelet count per oil immersion field. Erythrocyte morphology: assesses size, and shape of RBCs.
What is the Wright stain?
Is a polychromatic stain consisting of a mixture of eosin and methylene blue.
How do you count 100 WBC cells?
Using differential counters
What is the proper viewing area when doing a differential?
The RBCs must be barely touching, not overlapping. WBCs are not distorted or misshapen.
What is pyknosis?
It is the irreversible condensation of chromatin in the nucleus of a cell undergoing necrosis or apoptosis
What are smudge cells?
The remnants of leukocytes. They have no cytoplasm, and sometimes all that can be seen of smashed nuclei. Smudge cells are formed from leukocytes, typically lymphocytes, that are fragile, and are destroyed or smudged in the physical process of making a smear.
What is thrombocytosis?
An increase number of platelets
What is thrombocytopenia?
A decreased number of platelets
What does hypochromic mean in hematology?
It means the RBCs are very pale and showing an increased area of central power making up more than 1/3 out of the cell
What is hypochromia?
It is the result of a decrease in the hemoglobin content of the cell and is often accompanied by a decrease in cell size
What is polychromasia?
It is variation and staining color
What does anisocytosis?
It is a general term indicating increased variation in the size of RBCs in the blood film
What is iron deficiency anemia in hematology?
It means that a patient does not have enough iron, which leads to decrease hemoglobin
What does thalassemia mean in hematology?
It means that the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin
What is ansiocytosis in hematology?
Variation in the size of an RBC
What is poikilocytosis in hematology?
Variation in shape of an RBC
