Morphological Aspects of Blood Cells in Pathology

Questions and Answers

What is the normal diameter range of red blood cells in healthy individuals?

10.0–12.0 um

8.5–10.0 um

4.0–6.0 um

6.0–8.5 um (correct)

Which term describes red blood cells with a normal shape and hemoglobin content?

Microcytic and hypochromic

Normocytic and normochromic (correct)

Anisocytosis and hyperchromic

Polygonal and normochromic

Which blood cell type's morphology is critical for diagnosing a variety of diseases?

Erythrocytes

Leucocytes

Platelets

All of the above (correct)

What does MCV measure in relation to red blood cells?

Red cell volume Signup and view all the answers

What appearance do normal erythrocytes exhibit on a blood film?

Spherical with central pallor Signup and view all the answers

What factors can indicate diseases through blood cell examination?

Both quantitative and qualitative changes Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary tissue source of blood cells that reflects their aggregate function?

Bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary diagnostic significance of examining blood cell morphology?

It assesses the quantity and quality of blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the appearance of acanthocytes in a blood film?

Irregularly disposed spicules of varying sizes Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT a known cause of acanthocytosis?

Iron deficiency anaemia Signup and view all the answers

How do target cells appear in a blood film?

Presenting a central stained area and a peripheral rim of haemoglobinized cytoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to the development of target cells?

Thalassaemia Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes sickle cells in adults with homozygosity for hemoglobin S?

They are primarily boat-shaped Signup and view all the answers

In what condition can echinocytosis be observed?

Uraemia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following findings indicates significant crenation in red blood cells?

Numerous short, irregular projections after certain transfusions Signup and view all the answers

What causes the irregular and varying appearance of target cells?

Disproportionately large surface area to volume ratio Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes schistocytes in blood films?

They are smaller than normal red cells with varying shapes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT associated with schistocytosis?

Hereditary elliptocytosis. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of hereditary elliptocytosis?

Large numbers of elliptocytes. Signup and view all the answers

In which condition would macro-ovalocytes most likely be observed?

Megaloblastic anemia. Signup and view all the answers

Elliptocytosis can be present in which population characteristic?

South-East Asians showing varied elliptocyte numbers. Signup and view all the answers

Which poikilocytes correlate with the severity of iron deficiency anemia?

Elliptocytes and teardrop poikilocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of cell morphology is commonly observed in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?

Numerous bizarrely shaped red cell fragments. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of anemia is most likely to show pencil cells on a blood film?

Iron deficiency anemia. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appearance of red blood cells in rouleaux formation?

Stacked like coins with overlapping cells Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT associated with rouleaux formation?

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of autoagglutination in red blood cells?

Antigen-antibody reactions in vivo Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is characterized by the presence of polychromasia?

Hemolytic anemias Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would the absence of polychromasia be significant during an evaluation?

In a patient with severe anemia and inadequate marrow response Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of red blood cells in chronic cold hemagglutinin disease?

Massive autoagglutination Signup and view all the answers

Which type of antibodies is primarily responsible for cold agglutination?

IgM antibodies Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of observing reticulocytes in a blood smear?

Indicates increased erythropoietic drive Signup and view all the answers

Which conditions are typically associated with the presence of erythroblasts in blood films?

Haemolytic disease of the newborn Signup and view all the answers

What is the apparent diameter of normal neutrophils on a blood film?

13 mm Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario might you see toxic granulation in leukocytes?

Administration of G-CSF Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of normal neutrophils in blood films?

Multilobed nucleus Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT commonly associated with the presence of erythroblasts in blood films?

Aplastic anaemia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the cytoplasm of normal neutrophils?

Pink/orange with fine granulation Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of erythrocytes in a blood film of b-thalassaemia major?

Target cells Signup and view all the answers

What feature characterizes the majority of neutrophils in blood films?

Three nuclear segments connected by clumped strands Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

Blood cell analysis is crucial for diagnosing hematological diseases and various medical conditions.
Blood cell counts and morphology provide insights into disorders, reflected in quantitative or qualitative changes.
The function of blood-forming tissue, mainly marrow, is central to blood cell health.

Red Cell Morphology

Normal erythrocytes are typically 6.0–8.5 μm in diameter, round with smooth contours and central pallor.
Normocytic (normal size) and normochromic (normal hemoglobin content) cells are observed in healthy individuals.
Schistocytosis: Fragmented red cells, varying shapes, may indicate mechanical stress or genetic disorders.
Elliptocytosis: Presence of elliptocytes in hereditary conditions, correlated with severity in iron deficiency anaemia.
Acanthocytosis: Small spicules on cells; associated with membrane disorders and severe liver disease.
Crenation: Red cells develop short projections due to conditions such as uremia or artefactual changes.
Target Cells: Characterized by a central stained area surrounded by a rim; associated with liver disease and hemoglobinopathies.
Sickle Cells: Present in patients with homozygous HbS; shape varies in fresh blood films.
Rouleaux Formation: RBCs appear stacked due to increased globulins or fibrinogen; associated with multiple myeloma and chronic inflammatory disorders.
Autoagglutination: Clusters of RBCs due to antigen/antibody reactions; often related to cold agglutinins.

Changes Associated with Compensatory Increase in Erythropoiesis

Polychromasia: Bluish-grey-stained reticulocytes in conditions with high erythropoietic drive, indicates marrow response.
Erythroblastaemia: Presence of erythroblasts in severe anaemia; uncommon with aplastic anemia but seen in certain other conditions.

Morphology of Leucocytes

Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMNs): Primary defense against bacterial infections; constitute over half of circulating leucocytes.
Normal neutrophils have a diameter of about 13 μm and a segmented nucleus with pink/orange cytoplasm.
Toxic Granulation: Increased granule staining occurs during infections and inflammation; also noted after granulocyte colony stimulating factor treatment or in aplastic anaemia.

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Description

Explore the morphological features of blood cells in this quiz based on the 1st Block Posting in Pathology. Learn to identify red cells, leucocytes, and platelets, and understand their significance in health and diseases. Test your knowledge on these key concepts in pathology.