Keratocyte Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Keratocyte and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Schistocytes vs. bite cells Schistocyte is a general term for a fragmented red blood cell that may assume various shapes, some with horn-like projections (keratocytes), triangle-forms (triangulocytes), and helmet shapes, as illustrated in the upper photograph. Schistocytes are formed when erythrocytes are forced through a vessel blocked with interlacing fibrin strands and the red cells are sliced into fragments. True schistocytes are devoid of central pallor. These damaged cells continue to circulate while healing their torn edges. Finally, they are removed by the spleen. Bite cells (lower photograph) appear when an abnormal hemoglobin aggregate (Heinz body) is nibbled out of a red cell's cytoplasm by the spleen leaving a bitten apple appearance. Glucose 6-PD deficiency secondary to chemical poisoning or injury by oxidant drugs are settings for Heinz body formation, and the telltale bite cells remain as evidence. Hemolytic anemia associated with severe liver disease is another setting where bite cells are formed. | View Page |
| The underlying condition where the defective erythrocytes marked by arrows are of diagnostic importance is: | View Page |
| What is the cell that is indicated by the arrow in this field? | View Page |
| What are the cells that are indicated by the arrows in this slide? | View Page |
| Match the forms of poikilocytosis listed below with the physiological/environmental condition associated with their formation from the drop-down box. | View Page |
| Schistocytes Schistocytes are red cell fragments which are formed when fibrin strands come in contact with circulating red cells. The strands cut a small piece from the original cell. Several descriptive names have been used for schistocytes, depending on the resulting shape of the fragment. These include pre-keratocyte, also described as a blister cell, and keratocyte, also described as a helmet cell or horn cell. Regardless of the terminology, these cells are part of the more inclusive group designated as schistocytes and should be reported as such.Schistocytes can be seen in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), micropathic hemolytic anemia, glomerulonephritis, and hemolytic anemia resulting from mechanical trauma to the red blood cells (such as severe burns). | View Page |
| Synonym for keratocytes The synonyms for keratocytes are horn and helmet cells. | View Page |
| Match the following terms with their synonyms. | View Page |
| The predominant forms of abnormal morphology seen in this slide are: | View Page |
| The cell seen in the center of this field is: | View Page |
| The abnormal form seen in the center of this slide is: | View Page |
| The abnormal form seen in the center of this slide is: | View Page |
| The predominant abnormal forms seen in this field are: | View Page |
| Keratocyte Two projections are clearly visible in the keratocyte seen in the center of this slide. | View Page |
| Keratocytes The prekeratocyte becomes a keratocyte when the vacuole ruptures, leaving a damaged cell that resembles a 'helmet' as seen in this image. Keratocytes are also referred to as 'horn' cells because they resemble a red cell with two horns. | View Page |
| Another Keratocyte Another example of a keratocyte (helmet cell) is seen in the center of this field. Examples of conditions in which keratocytes can be seen include intravascular coagulation, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, glomerulonephritis, and rejection of renal transplants. The diagnosis of these disorders is not based on the presence of keratocytes. | View Page |
| Schistocytes Two slightly larger fragments can be seen in this slide. One is lower center, and the other is lower right. Two dacryocytes or teardrop cells are seen in the upper center. Several ovalocytes are also present in this field. Schistocytes are seen in the same conditions as keratocytes and have a short survival time in circulation. Schistocytes have somewhat more clinical significance than keratocytes. | View Page |
| The cell in the center of this slide is an example of a: | View Page |