HematologyOutlines - Atlas
Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Target Cell RBC*


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› Microscopic Features:
  • About the same size as a normal RBC
  • Round shape
  • Bull's eye appearance (resembles the Target sign)
› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:
  • PB: Rare to None
  • BM: Rare to None
  • LN: Rare to None
› May Resemble:
  • Normal Mature RBC
  • Macrocytic RBC
  • Hemoglobin C crystals
› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in:
Thalassemia
Hemoglobinopathies (C, SC, or E disease)
Post-splenectomy
Liver disease
Artifact of slow drying of blood smear
Iron deficiency anemia (sometimes)

› Classic Immunophenotype:
  • N/A
› Cartoon Image:



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RBC
for direct comparison

› Misc:
  • Increased surface membrane to volume ratio gives rise to a central darker hemoglobinized region within the area of central pallor