RBC, morphology and abnormalities

 

Normal, mature RBCs are biconcave, disc-shaped, anuclear cells measuring approximately 7-8 microns in diameter. The term used to describe RBCs of normal size is "normocytic." On a Wright-stained peripheral blood smear, normal mature RBCs that contain sufficient hemoglobin have a red-orange appearance with a central pallor (lighter area inside of the cell) no larger than 3 microns in diameter. The term used to describe RBCs of normal color is "normochromic." 

Normal functioning RBCs survive for approximately 120 days in the peripheral blood circulation before being removed by the liver or spleen. Under normal circumstances, the body produces enough RBCs each day to offset the removal of senescent (old) cells.

Abnormal RBC Morphology