A variation in erythrocyte size is known as:**

A variation in erythrocyte size is known as:**

• A. Poikilocytosis
• B. Anisocytosis
• C. Polycytosis
• D. Erythrocytosis

Answer: (B)

Anisocytosis is the variation in red blood cell size. When a blood smear shows cells that differ notably in size—from smaller than normal (microcytes) to larger than normal (macrocytes)—this condition is described as anisocytosis. It’s often assessed with the red cell distribution width (RDW) on a CBC. Poikilocytosis, by contrast, describes variation in shape rather than size, such as spherocytes or burr cells. Polycytosis or erythrocytosis means there are too many red blood cells, not a problem with their size. So the correct term for size variation is anisocytosis.

Anisocytosis is the variation in red blood cell size. When a blood smear shows cells that differ notably in size—from smaller than normal (microcytes) to larger than normal (macrocytes)—this condition is described as anisocytosis. It’s often assessed with the red cell distribution width (RDW) on a CBC.

Poikilocytosis, by contrast, describes variation in shape rather than size, such as spherocytes or burr cells. Polycytosis or erythrocytosis means there are too many red blood cells, not a problem with their size. So the correct term for size variation is anisocytosis.