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Schistocytes

Schistocytes
#00060306
Author: Teresa Scordino
Category: Morphologic variants of normal cells > Morphologic variants of Red Blood Cells/precursors > Normal Red blood cell morphology with resting lymphocyte for comparison > Poikilocytosis > Schistocytes  (Helmet, keratocyte)
Published Date: 01/13/2016


•A schistocyte is present in the center of the image.  Schistocytes are red cell fragments that may be present in microangiopathic hemolysis and other causes of mechanical hemolysis.  Schistocytes are smaller than red blood cells, lack central pallor, and have sharp angles and/or straight borders.  The term “schistocyte” has been used to include small, triangular red cell fragments (triangulocytes) as well as larger, crescent shaped fragments (helmet cells).  Spherocytes are also frequently seen when schistocytes are present.