Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Morphologies

Microbial Morphologies

Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...

Flow Cytometry

Flow Cytometry

The development of flow cytometry techniques began in 1934 with initial attempts by Andrew Moldavan, a bacteriologist who counted the cells in a flowing capillary system. Moldavan pumped cells through a capillary tube focused under a microscope for visualization. The invention of photometry allowed the measurement of differentially-stained cells, and Louis Kamentsky developed the first multiparameter flow cytometer in 1965 to identify and count the cancer cells in cervical tissue specimens.
In...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The Interstellar Mapping And Acceleration Probe High Energy (IMAP-Hi) Neutral Atom Imager.

Space science reviews·2026

Same author

The Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment (CoDICE) for the IMAP Mission.

Space science reviews·2025

Same author

Extreme plate boundary localization promotes shallow earthquake slip at the Japan Trench.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025

Same author

Maternal exposure to iopanoic acid disrupts thyroid hormone metabolism and impairs development of the rodent brain.

Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology·2025

Same author

Toxicological profile of chemical interference of thyroid hormone metabolism via deiodinase enzymes in a rodent model.

Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology·2025

Same author

Technology readiness among UK-based cognitively unaffected older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: potential implications for decentralised alzheimer's disease prevention trials.

BMC geriatrics·2025

Same journal

Evaluation of the BT-50 Automatic Quality Control Unit on the XN9000 Hematology Analyzer.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2026

Same journal

Acquired Myeloperoxidase Deficiency in MDS/MPN-NOS Presenting With Aberrant Muddy Sand-Like Granulocytes.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2026

Same journal

Rapid Centrifugation for Coagulation Testing: A Multianalyzer Validation Study Harmonizing Preanalytical Protocols for Total Laboratory Automation.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2026

Same journal

Abstract Proceedings of ISLH 2026 XXXIXth International Symposium on Technical Innovations in Laboratory Hematology.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2026

Same journal

Altitude-Related Laboratory Changes and a Novel Hemoglobin Estimation Model: A Retrospective Analysis in Children and Adults.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2026

Same journal

Explainable, Generative and Agentic Artificial Intelligence for the Peripheral Blood Film.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry

Published on: January 12, 2018

Red blood cell morphology.

¹Division of Hematopathology, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. jford@cw.bc.ca

International Journal of Laboratory Hematology

|March 14, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Reviewing red blood cell (RBC) morphology on peripheral smears is crucial for diagnosing anemia. Abnormal RBC features aid in differentiating causes of anemia, guiding further laboratory testing for accurate diagnosis.

More Related Videos

Controlled Microfluidic Environment for Dynamic Investigation of Red Blood Cell Aggregation

Controlled Microfluidic Environment for Dynamic Investigation of Red Blood Cell Aggregation

Published on: June 4, 2015

A Comprehensive Pipeline to Assess the Efficiency of Human Erythropoiesis In Vitro and Ex Vivo

A Comprehensive Pipeline to Assess the Efficiency of Human Erythropoiesis In Vitro and Ex Vivo

Published on: January 10, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry

Published on: January 12, 2018

Controlled Microfluidic Environment for Dynamic Investigation of Red Blood Cell Aggregation

Controlled Microfluidic Environment for Dynamic Investigation of Red Blood Cell Aggregation

Published on: June 4, 2015

A Comprehensive Pipeline to Assess the Efficiency of Human Erythropoiesis In Vitro and Ex Vivo

A Comprehensive Pipeline to Assess the Efficiency of Human Erythropoiesis In Vitro and Ex Vivo

Published on: January 10, 2025

Area of Science:

Hematology
Clinical Pathology
Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine

Background:

The complete blood count and peripheral smear review are fundamental in laboratory hematologic diagnosis.
Red blood cell (RBC) morphology on peripheral smears provides critical diagnostic information for various anemias.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the diagnostic utility of RBC morphology in differentiating types of anemia.
To emphasize the role of RBC morphology in guiding differential diagnoses and selecting appropriate follow-up tests.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of RBC features on peripheral blood smears.
Correlation of RBC morphology with specific anemia classifications (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic).

Main Results:

RBC shape, size, color, inclusions, and arrangement offer key diagnostic clues.
Morphology helps differentiate thalassemia likelihood in microcytic anemia.
RBC findings assist in distinguishing causes of normocytic anemia (e.g., blood loss, marrow failure, hemolysis).
Morphology guides diagnosis toward megaloblastic or nonmegaloblastic causes in macrocytic anemia.

Conclusions:

RBC morphology is an indispensable tool for hematology professionals in diagnosing anemia.
Careful interpretation of RBC morphology, especially in pediatric patients, is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate test selection.