Back to Main Atlas

Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Neutrophils ›› Abnormal

Metamyelocyte

Metamyelocyte
Metamyelocyte
Metamyelocyte

Microscopic Features:

  • 2-3x larger than a mature RBC
  • Intermediate nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio (more cytoplasm than promyelocyte)
  • Kidney bean shaped Nucleus with nucleus indentation (less than 1/2 the diameter) and mature chromatin (clumped)
  • Perinuclear clearing is common
  • Nucleoli are absent
  • More cytoplasm with only secondary granules
  • Secondary (specific) granules of neutrophilic (lilac), eosinophilic (red-orange), or basophilic (blue) color are present based on precursor type

Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:

  • PB: None
  • BM: ~15%
  • LN: None

May Resemble:

Differential Diagnoses:

If in blood or increased numbers in bone marrow:
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Leukemoid reaction
Post GCSF therapy
Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia

Classic Immunophenotype:

  • CD34-
  • CD117-
  • HLA-DR-
  • CD13+
  • CD33+
  • CD15+
  • CD11b+
  • CD16+
  • MPO+

Cartoon Image:

Metamyelocyte cartoon
Click and dragRed blood cell for scalefor direct comparison

Misc:

Maturation step that comes after myelocyte and preceeds the band neutrophil