Red Blood Cells And Acanthocyte, Sem #3 is a photograph by Science Source which was uploaded on May 30th, 2013.
Red Blood Cells And Acanthocyte, Sem #3
This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted a number of red blood cells found enmeshed in a fibrinous matrix on the luminal surface of an... more
Title
Red Blood Cells And Acanthocyte, Sem #3
Artist
Science Source
Medium
Photograph
Description
This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted a number of red blood cells found enmeshed in a fibrinous matrix on the luminal surface of an indwelling vascular; Magnified 7766x. In this instance, the indwelling catheter was a tube that was left in place creating a patent portal directly into a blood vessel. The erythrocyte in the center had undergone the process of crenation, whereupon, it developed a number of cell wall projections, thereby, transforming it into what is termed an acanthocyte, or spur cell. Acanthocytosis, or the formation of spur cells in a blood specimen, could be indicative of a number of hematologic disease processes, but in this instance, was probably due to the fixation procedure carried out on this specimen prior to electron micrographic viewing. Note the normally appearing, biconcave cytomorphologic shape of the other erythrocytes, which increases their surface area of these hemoglobin-filled cells, thereby, promoting a greater degree of gas exchange, which is their primary function in an in vivo setting. In their adult phase, these cells possess no nucleus. What appears to be irregularly-shaped chunks of debris, are actually fibrin clumps, which when inside the living organism, functions as a key component in the process of blood clot formation, acting to entrap the red blood cells in a mesh-like latticework of proteinaceous strands, thereby, stabilizing and strengthening the clot, in much the same way as rebar acts to strengthen, and reinforce cement.
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May 30th, 2013
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