Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory - libdoc.who.int

9. Haematology 311Fig. 9.92 Polymorphonuclear neutrophilsFig. 9.93 Polymorphonuclear eosinophilsNucleus: several (2–5) lobes, linked by strands of chromatin. The chromatin appearsas a uniform deep purple mass.Cytoplasm: abundant, pinkish, containing numerous very small, mauve granules.The granules appear brown-violet after staining.Polymorphonuclear eosinophils (Fig. 9.93)Size: 12–15mm.Nucleus: usually two lobes.Cytoplasm: very little visible, containing numerous large, round, densely packed,orange-red granules.Sometimes the cell appears damaged, with scattered granules.Polymorphonuclear basophils (Fig. 9.94)These are the rarest type of granulocyte.Size: 11–13mm.Shape: round.Nucleus: difficult to see because it is covered by the granules.Cytoplasm: very little visible, containing numerous very large, round,deep purple granules, less densely packed than those of theeosinophils. Small colourless vacuoles are sometimes present.Lymphocytes and monocytesLymphocytes and monocytes have a compact nucleus and may ormay not have granules in the cytoplasm.Small lymphocytes (Fig. 9.95)Fig. 9.94 Polymorphonuclear basophilsSize: 7–10mm.Shape: round.Nucleus: large (occupying most of the cell), with densely packed dark purplechromatin.Cytoplasm: very little visible, blue with no granules.