Red Cell Terminology

Question 1

What are the factors that we classify red cells by

4

Answer 1

Size
Colour
Age
Shape

Question 2

What is hypochromia

Answer 2

Cells have an area of larger pallor than normal
Lower haemoglobin content and concentration and a flatter cell
More than a third is pale
Hypochromia and microcytosis go together

Question 3

What is polychromasia

Answer 3

Blue tinge on cytoplasm of the cell

Shows the cell is young

Question 4

What are reticulocytes

Answer 4

Young cells and reticulocytosis is linked to the response in bleeding and haemolysis

Question 5

What is anisocytosis

Answer 5

Cells show more variation in size than normal

Question 6

What are poikilocytes

Answer 6

Show more variation in shape than normal

Question 7

What are the different cells poikilocytes come in 6

Answer 7

Target cells 
Sickle cells 
Fragments 
Spherocytes 
Elliptocytes 
Irregularly contracted cells

Question 8

What are target cells

Answer 8

Red cells with an accumulation of haemoglobin in the centre of the area of central pallor.

Question 9

When do target cells occur

Answer 9

Obstructive jaundice
Liver disease
Haemoglobinglobinpathies
Hyposplenism

Question 10

What are red cell fragments

Answer 10

Fragments or schistocytes are small pieces or red cells
Indicate fragmentation
This can be caused by shearing process caused by platelet rich blood clots in small blood vessels in DIC

Question 11

What are anisocytes?

Answer 11

Red cells that show more variation in size than normal