Which term describes the edge of a blood smear where cells are spread thinly?

Which term describes the edge of a blood smear where cells are spread thinly?

• A. Monolayer
• B. Body of smear
• C. Feathered edge
• D. Edge area

Answer: (C)

The edge where cells are spread very thin on a blood smear is called the feathered edge. This thin, wispy fringe forms as the smear tapers toward the end, causing cells to be spaced out rather than crowded. That separation is what makes individual cells easier to see clearly, which is crucial for accurate counting and for assessing cell morphology in a differential. The central part of the smear, the body, is thicker and more overlapped, so it’s less ideal for precise evaluation. While terms like monolayer refer to a single cell layer in the body of the smear, they don’t describe this specific edge condition. The feathered edge is the standard term for the thin, edge region where cells are spread apart.

The edge where cells are spread very thin on a blood smear is called the feathered edge. This thin, wispy fringe forms as the smear tapers toward the end, causing cells to be spaced out rather than crowded. That separation is what makes individual cells easier to see clearly, which is crucial for accurate counting and for assessing cell morphology in a differential. The central part of the smear, the body, is thicker and more overlapped, so it’s less ideal for precise evaluation. While terms like monolayer refer to a single cell layer in the body of the smear, they don’t describe this specific edge condition. The feathered edge is the standard term for the thin, edge region where cells are spread apart.