Hyposegmentation

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Hyposegmentation

Hyposegmented cells are neutrophils with two or fewer nuclear lobes. The nucleus may be round, peanut-shaped, or band-shaped. Since nuclear lobe development is abnormal, the chromatin structure often appears more mature than normal. It is sometimes very smooth, almost pyknotic.

Band neutrophils are less mature neutrophils and are hyposegmented (nonsegmented). A few band neutrophils in an otherwise healthy patient is normal. An increase in band neutrophils (greater than five percent of the total WBC's) and other immature granulocytes is referred to as a 'left shift'.
The image to the right includes a band neutrophil. Note the absence of segments in the nucleus.