Glossary of Hematology.docVIP

Glossary of Hematology__________________________________ The glossary, written under the direction of Bong Hyun, MD, is keyed to the Master List for Hematology and is designed to assist Survey participants in the proper identification of blood cells in photomicrographs. Descriptions are for cells found in properly prepared wedge smears of blood or crush preparations of aspirated marrow spicules stained with Wright-Giemsa. Blood and Bone Marrow Cells Granulocytic (Myelocytic) Series Myeloblast Myeloblasts are morphologically the most immature cell in the myeloid series. Although there is some variation in shape and size, myeloblasts are usually 15 to 20 (m in diameter and round to oval. The cell nucleus is usually round or oval, but may sometimes be indented or clefted. It often contains one or more nucleoli and the chromatin is finely reticulated and thereby granular in appearance. The nuclear- cytoplasmic ratio (N:C) is high, 7:1 to 5:1. The cytoplasm is often scanty, basophilic, and lacks a clear zone indicative of a Golgi region. Occasionally, it may contain Auer rods or variable numbers of delicate azurophilic granules. FAB classifications currently accept three types of myeloblasts: type 1, where the cytoplasm is devoid of granules; type II, where the cytoplasm may contain up to 15 delicate granules; and type III, where the cytoplasm contains relatively numerous azurophilic granules, but has all the nuclear and cytoplasmic features of a blast cell. In the absence of Auer rods, specific granules, or data concerning cytochemistry or cell surface markers, individual blast cells cannot reliably be distinguished from each other and, for identification purposes, should be simply designated as blast cells. Promyelocyte (Progranulocyte) Promyelocytes are round or oval and are generally slightly larger than myeloblasts, measuring 12 to 24 (m in diameter. The nucleus is large, round or oval, and is often centrally placed, but may sometimes be loc