Hematology 2

bone marrow role and what it produces

• Role: Primary site for blood cell production (hematopoiesis).

• Produces: Red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets

spleen role

Spleen:

• Role: Filters blood, removes old RBCs, and stores platelets

• Additional: Plays a role in immune response by filtering pathogens.

liver role

Liver:

• Role: Produces important plasma proteins (like albumin and clotting factors) and stores iron for hemoglobin production

• Detoxifies: Removes waste products and toxins from the blood.

heart role 

Heart:

• Role: Pumps blood throughout the body, ensuring oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues and waste products are carried away.

• Circulation: Responsible for systemic and pulmonary circulation.

lymphatic system role

Lymphatic System (Lymph Nodes & Vessels):

• Role: Returns excess tissue fluid to the bloodstream and helps fight infections through WBCs (immune function)

kidney role

Kidneys:

• Role: Regulate blood volume and pressure by controlling fluid balance and producing erythropoietin (hormone that stimulates RBC production).

• Filter: Waste and excess substances from the blood

how common are granulocytes, appearance and role

Granulocytes: most common (50-70%)

Types: Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Appearance: Have granules in their cytoplasm that stain differently.

Role: phagocytosis, contains enzyme granules that release proinflammatory factors 

• Neutrophils: First responders to bacterial infections, phagocytize pathogens.

• Eosinophils: Fight parasitic infections and allergic reactions.

• Basophils: Release histamine during allergic responses and inflammation

Monocytes appearance, role

Monocytes:

Appearance: Larger, kidney-shaped nuclei and abundant cytoplasm

Role: Differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells when they leave the bloodstream and enter tissues, involved in phagocytosis and antigen processing of foreign particles 

• Macrophages: Phagocytize pathogens, dead cells, and debris.

• Dendritic cells: Present antigens to help activate other immune cells.

• Function: Involved in immune response, tissue repair, and inflammation

lymphocytes appearance and role

Lymphocytes:

Types: T cells, B cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells.

Role: involved in antibody production and immune cell communication, alerting, and targeting through cytokine release 

• T cells: Kill infected or cancerous cells and help regulate immune responses.

• B cells: Produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens.

• NK cells: Kill virus-infected cells and tumors.

• Appearance: Smaller with a large nucleus and a thin rim of cytoplasm

Reference ranges for WBC differentials

1month old

6yr old

12yr old

adult

What factors affect wbc values?

Factors affecting values

• Bacterial infections = higher neutrophil amounts

• Viral infections = higher abnormal lymphocytes

• Parasites and allergies = higher eosinophil counts

• Leukemia = increase in one type of WBC

What are reticulocytes? what are they used for to assess

Reticulocytes - immature RBC produced in bone marrow

• Used to assess erythropoiesis (RBC production), especially in anemia cases

Reference ranges for immature rbcs to total rbcs%

adult

newborns

Reference ranges

Age	Reference range in %	Upper limit of normal %
Adults	0.5-1.5%	3
Newborns	2.5-6.5%	10

what does erythrocyte sedimentation help detect?

Erythrocyte sedimentation - process of RBcs settling at liquid bottom

• Rate can be used to detect inflammation or malignancies

what are the steps?

Steps:

1. Blood sample is placed in a thin tube

2. Distance the RBC’s fall from top of liquid is measured (can be high/low)

What factors affect the sedimentation rate?

(aggregate, disease, shape)

Factors affecting sedimentation rate

1. Erythrocytes can aggregate (combine) = more mass, higher sedimentation rate

• Indicates high acute phase proteins, meaning inflammatory/degenerative disease 

2. Disease - macrocytic cells (big RBCs) = higher sedimentation rates

3. Sickle shaped/spherocytic cells = low sedimentation rates

Amount of RBCs; higher levels of polycythemia (abnormal RBC increase) = lower rate of sedimentation (more viscous/thick)

Reference ranges for sediplast ESR