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Acanthocyte

Acanthocyte
#00060517
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 > Acanthocytes
Published Date: 03/02/2016

Acanthocytes in two patients with liver disease. Acanthocytes (also called spur cells) are spiculated cells with irregular, pointed or clublike projections that are unevenly distributed on the cell surface.  Central pallor is absent.  Acanthocytes form as a result of membrane lipid abnormalities, and can be seen in liver disease, neuroacanthocytosis, severe malnutrition, and abetalipoproteinemia.