MLT 251 - Cell Counts & RBC Indices TERMs

Familiarize yourself with more hematology terms.

Indices

Measurements that provide information about the characteristics of red blood cells, including size, volume, and concentration.

Hemacytometer

A device used in laboratories to count cells in a specific volume of blood or other fluids.

Neubauer ruling

a grid pattern used in hemacytometers to count cells in a defined volume of fluid.

Area

Of a hemacytometer used for counting blood cells, typically grid-marked for accurate measurement.

Volume

The amount of space occupied by a substance, measured in units such as liters or cubic centimeters.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen transport in the body.

Morphological classification

An approach to categorize anemia based on the size, shape, and color of red blood cells under a microscope.

Normocytic normochromic

Describes red blood cells that are of normal size and hemoglobin content, indicating a healthy state of the cells.

Microcytic hypochromic

A type of anemia where red blood cells are smaller than normal (microcytic) and have less color (hypochromic) due to insufficient hemoglobin. This is commonly associated with iron deficiency.

Macrocytic normochromic

Describes red blood cells that are larger than normal with a normal hemoglobin content, often associated with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

Rule of 3

A method used in hematology to verify the accuracy of hemoglobin and red blood cell counts by ensuring the hemoglobin value is approximately three times the red cell count.

Spherocytes

A type of red blood cell that is spherical in shape rather than the typical disc shape, often associated with conditions like hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Schistocyte

Fragmented red blood cells associated with various hemolytic anemias.

Cold agglutinins

Antibodies that cause agglutination of red blood cells at lower temperatures.

Anisocytosis

A condition characterized by a significant variability in the size of red blood cells, often observed in various types of anemia.

Poikilocytosis

Variation in red blood cell shapes seen in various anemias.

Histogram

A graphical representation of the distribution of red blood cell sizes, used in assessing their population and abnormalities.

MCV

Mean corpuscular volume is a measurement of the average volume of red blood cells. The formula for MCV is: (\frac{Hematocrit \times 10}{RBC \ count}) where Hematocrit is in % and RBC count is in 10^6/\mu L. The result is in fL.

MPV

Mean platelet volume is a measure of the average size of platelets in the blood.

MCH

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin, which indicates the average amount of hemoglobin contained in a single red blood cell. The formula for MCH is: (\frac{Hemoglobin \times 10}{RBC \ count}) where Hemoglobin is in g/dL and RBC count is in 10^6/\mu L. The result is in pg.

MCHC

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, which measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of packed red blood cells. The formula for MCHC is: (\frac{Hemoglobin \times 100}{Hematocrit}) where Hemoglobin is in g/dL and Hematocrit is in %. The result is in g/dL.

RDW

Red cell distribution width is a measure of the variation in size of red blood cells.

Delta Check

A quality control process used in laboratory testing that compares current test results with previous results for the same patient to identify significant changes or errors.