Table 7.

3  Characteristics of Cells in the Maturation Stages of the Neutrophil

Cell Stage (% in bone N:C Ratio; CD Maturation
Figure Nucleus Cytoplasm Granules
marrow) Size (mcM) Markers Transit Time
Myeloblast (0.2–1.5) Round or oval; delicate, Light blue High; 14–20 Absent CD13, ~1 day
116  Chapter 7

lacy chromatin; nucleoli CD33,

CD34,
CD162

Promyelocyte (2–4) Round or oval, ­ Deep blue High but less Large, reddish-purple CD13, 1–3 days
chromatin lacy but than myeloblast; (azurophilic) primary or CD 15,
more condensed than 15–21 nonspecific granules CD33,
blast; nucleoli present CD162

Myelocyte (8–16) Round to oval; ­ Light blue, more Decreased from Small pinkish-red ­ CD15, 1–5 days
chromatin more mature shows tan to promyelocyte; specific granules; CD18,
­condensed; nucleoli pink 12–18 ­azurophilic granules; CD162
usually absent secretory vesicles

Metamyelocyte (9–25) Chromatin condensed; Pinkish-tan Decreased 10–18 Predominance of small CD15, 0.5–4 days
stains dark purple; pinkish-lavender specific CD55,
­kidney bean shape granules; some azurophilic CD162
to oval granules present; secretory
vesicles

Band (­nonsegmented) Chromatin Pink to tan to clear Decreased Abundant small, pinkish CD15, 0.5–4 days
(9–15) condensed at ends lavender specific granules; CD55,
of horseshoe-shaped some azurophilic granules CD65,
nucleus; stains dark present; secretory vesicles; CD162
purple tertiary granules

Segmented Neutrophil Nucleus segmented Pink or tan to clear Decreased As in band CD13, 1–5 days
(polymorphonuclear) into 2–4 lobes; ­ CD15,
chromatin condensed; CD65,
stains deep purple/black CD162