Red blood cell
The red blood cell, abbreviated RBC, is the carrier of oxygen to tissue. It is seen daily by pathologists.
It is approximately 8 micrometers in diameter.[1]
Precursors
Reticulocyte
The direct precursor to the RBC is the reticulocyte.
Image:
Normoblast
Normoblasts are the nucleated precursors of RBCs.
Images:
Myospherulosis
General
- A round aggregrate of RBCs.
Etiology:
- Exposure to dying fat, e.g. fat necrosis of the breast.
- Malignancy, e.g. renal cell carcinoma.[2]
Microscopic
Features:
- Round aggregates of red blood cells ~10-20 RBCs in diameter (80-160 micrometers).
See also
References
- ↑ URL: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-large-is-a-micrometer.htm. Accessed on: 17 January 2011.
- ↑ Chau, KY.; Pretorius, JM.; Stewart, AW. (Oct 2000). "Myospherulosis in renal cell carcinoma.". Arch Pathol Lab Med 124 (10): 1476-9. doi:10.1043/0003-9985(2000)1241476:MIRCC2.0.CO;2. PMID 11035579.