Which term describes variability in red blood cell shapes?

Which term describes variability in red blood cell shapes?

• A. Rouleaux
• B. Poikilocytosis
• C. Polychromasia
• D. Anisocytosis

Answer: (B)

Poikilocytosis describes variability in red blood cell shapes. On a blood smear, normal RBCs are uniform discs; when you see a mix of unusual shapes—elliptocytes, teardrop cells, burr cells, target cells, spherocytes, and others—the term poikilocytosis is used. This shape variation reflects underlying issues with the RBC membrane, cytoskeleton, or cellular metabolism and can be associated with various diseases such as iron deficiency, liver disease, hemolysis, or certain anemias. Rouleaux refers to stacking of red cells like coins, usually due to elevated plasma proteins; anisocytosis means variation in cell size; and polychromasia indicates variation in color due to a higher number of immature red blood cells. These describe other aspects of smear morphology, not shape variability.

Poikilocytosis describes variability in red blood cell shapes. On a blood smear, normal RBCs are uniform discs; when you see a mix of unusual shapes—elliptocytes, teardrop cells, burr cells, target cells, spherocytes, and others—the term poikilocytosis is used. This shape variation reflects underlying issues with the RBC membrane, cytoskeleton, or cellular metabolism and can be associated with various diseases such as iron deficiency, liver disease, hemolysis, or certain anemias.

Rouleaux refers to stacking of red cells like coins, usually due to elevated plasma proteins; anisocytosis means variation in cell size; and polychromasia indicates variation in color due to a higher number of immature red blood cells. These describe other aspects of smear morphology, not shape variability.