Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Normal

Normal mature RBC*


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Microscopic Features:
  • Size 6-8 um, Slightly smaller than a mature lymphocyte
  • Lacks a nucleus
  • Cytoplasm is pink-orange in color wth a central pallor
  • Central pallor is 1/3 the diameter
Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:
  • PB: Many
  • BM: Many
  • LN: Some
May Resemble: Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in:
Polycythemia Vera
Reactive Erythroid hyperplasia
Post erythropoeitin therapy

Classic Immunophenotype:
  • N/A
Cartoon Image:



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RBC
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Misc:
  • Normal mature RBCs are normocytic (MCV 80-100) and normochromic (1/3 central pallor).Its main function is to carry oxygen through its hemoglobin molecules.



Content Editors/Website Administrators:
Hooman H. Rashidi, MD; John C. Nguyen, MD