Elliptocyte Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Elliptocyte and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| What best describes the cells seen in this illustration: | View Page |
| The abnormal RBCs shape seen in this illustration is: | View Page |
| Ovalocytes/Elliptocytes Ovalocytes/elliptocytes are oval or elliptical red blood cells that range in shape from slightly egg-shaped to rod or pencil forms. They have normal central pallor with the hemoglobin concentrated at the ends of the elongated cells. The ends of the cells are blunt and not sharp like sickle cells.A rare ovalocyte/elliptocyte (less than 1%) may be found on almost any peripheral blood smear. However, when they comprise more than 25% of the red blood cells on the blood smear, hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) is probable. In most cases, patients are asymptomatic while having normal red blood cell life spans, although a mild anemia may occur. Resistance to malarial infection may be a beneficial attribute of HE. | View Page |
| Poikilocytosis Review Table Cell TypeImageCellular DescriptionAssociated Diseases and ConditionsTeardrop cellRed blood cells (RBCs) are shaped like a teardrop with a projection extending from one end.Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM)SpherocyteRBCs smaller than normalNo central pallorRound rather than disc-shapedHereditary spherocytosisCertain hemolytic anemiasSevere burnsTarget cellRBCs with characteristic bull's-eye morphology due to hemoglobin distribution.Hemoglobinopathies (e.g., sickle cell disease)Certain thalassemiasIron deficiency anemiaSplenectomySevere liver diseaseSickle cellRBCs contain hemoglobin S.Thorn or crescent-shapedSickle cell anemiaStomatocyteRBCs with thin, elongated area of central pallor (slit-like, or coffee-bean-shaped on peripheral blood smears).Three-dimensionally, RBCs are cup-shaped.Hereditary stomatocytosisAlcohol-related diseaseLiver diseaseRh null phenotypeArtifactSchistocyte (fragmented red cells)RBC blood cell fragments or piecesVary widely in size and shapeSevere burnsHemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA)Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)Ovalocyte (elliptocyte)RBCs are elongated-oval, cigar, or pencil-shapedHereditary elliptocytosisMegaloblastic anemiaMyelophthisic anemiaCertain thalassemiasSevere iron deficiency Acanthocyte (Spur cell)RBCs demonstrating irregularly-spaced, spiny projections that vary in size and numberNo central pallor.AbetalipoproteinemiaSevere hepatic diseaseMyeloproliferative disordersMAHANeuroacanthocytosissyndromesEchinocyte (Burr cell)RBCs have short and evenly-spaced, rounded projections surrounding the cellCentral pallor presentUremiaHeart diseasePyruvate kinase deficiencyStomach cancersBleeding peptic ulcersBite cellRed cells that appear to have bites taken out of them (Image A)Supravital stain reveals the presence of Heinz bodies--precipitated denatured masses of hemoglobin (Image B) Disorders associated with Heinz body formation:Unstable hemoglobinsChemical poisoningG-6PDHemolytic anemia associated with severe alcoholic liver disease | View Page |
| What are the cells that are indicated by the arrows in this peripheral blood smear image? | View Page |
| Elliptocytes (Ovalocytes) Elliptocytes/ovalocytes can vary in appearance from slightly oval to thin pencil-shaped forms. Less than 1% of red cells in normal blood are oval. Many examples of elliptocytes can be seen in this smear from a patient with hereditary elliptocytosis(HE). All cases of HE are associated with weakening of membrane skeleton and defective association of proteins that hold the skeleton together. The function of elliptocytes appear to be unaffected in most cases. Notice that the cells vary in shape from slightly oval to cigar-shaped. The largest percentage of elliptocytes is seen on smears from patients with hereditary elliptocytosis. Since many of these patients have no symptoms, the presence of elliptocytes on the smear may be the only diagnostic feature. | View Page |
| Synonym for Elliptocytes The synonym for an elliptocyte is a pencil form. | View Page |
| Match the following terms with their synonyms. | View Page |
| The identification of which of the following abnormal forms may contribute significantly to specific clinical diagnosis: | View Page |
| What type of red cells are indicated by the arrows in this image? | View Page |
| Elliptocytes, continued In this image, elliptocytes are indicated by the blue arrows. Fragmented red cells, indicated by the red arrows, are also present in this smear. | View Page |
| The cell in the center of the field is a/an: | View Page |
| More Elliptocytes Elliptocytes can also be seen in this smear. | View Page |
| What is the predominant abnormal forms seen in this slide? | View Page |
