ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY WITH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY BSMLS

THE BLOOD

Two Major Components

 Formed Elements
o Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
o Leukocytes (white blood cells)
o Platelets (thrombocytes
 Plasma

ERYTHROCYTES
 Non-nucleated biconcave cells
- mature blood cells enter the blood vessels Specific Differential Life Major
Type Nucleus
without their nuclei Granules Count (%) Span Functions
GRANULOCYTES
 most numerous blood cell Neutrophils 3-5 lobes Faint/light 50-70 1-4 d Kill and
 remain in the blood pink phagocytose
bacteria
 Lifespan: ~120 days Eosinophils Bilobed Red/dark 1-4 1-2 wk Kill helminthic
pink and other
 Functions: parasites;
- transport oxygen and carbon dioxide modulate local
inflammation
- Hb synthesis Basophils Bilobed or Dark 0.5-1 Several Modulate
S-shaped blue/purpl months inflammation,
- Carry respiratory gases e release
histamine
during allergy
AGRANULOCYTES
Lymphocytes Rather None 20-40 Hours to Effector and
Spherical many regulatory cells
years for adaptive
immunity
Monocytes Indented None 2-8 Hours to Precursors of
or C- years macrophages
shaped and other
mononuclear
phagocytic cells

PLATELETS or THROMBOCYTES
 smallest, nonnucleated formed elements in the
blood
 Cytoplasmic fragments or remnants of
LEUKOCYTES or WHITE BLOOD CELLS megakaryocytes (the largest cells in the bone
 AGRANULOCYTES marrow)
o Monocytes: 3 to 8%  Perform their major functions within the blood
vessels
o Lymphocytes: 20 to 30%  Function:
- promote blood clotting
 GRANULOCYTES - contribute to clot retraction
o Neutrophils: 60 to 70%

o Eosinophils: 2 to 4%

o Basophils: less than 1%

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY WITH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY BSMLS
THE BLOOD

H. Time delay; drop of blood began to dry prior to

spread.

WELL MADE BLOOD SMEAR

A to H : Unacceptable peripheral blood films.

Slide appearances associated with the most common
errors.
A. Chipped or rough edge on spreader slide.
B. Hesitation in forward motion of spreader slide.
C. Spreader slide pushed too quickly.
D. Drop of blood too small.
E. Drop of blood not allowed to spread across the
width of the slide.
F. Dirt or grease on the slide; may also be PB
specimen elevated lipids. BLOOD TYPING
G. Uneven pressure on the spreader slide.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY WITH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY BSMLS
THE BLOOD

ABO GROUPING CAN BE PERFORMED IN TWO

WAYS
 Forward grouping/Cell grouping:
- Red blood cells are tested for A and B
antigens using known anti-A and anti-B
sera.
- agglutination
 Reverse grouping/Serum grouping:
- Serum is tested for anti-A and anti-B
anibodies using known A and B red cells.
- direct hemagglutination