Reticulocytes
Reticulocytes
Reticulocytes (/rɪˈtɪkjʊləsaɪts/) are immature red blood cells, typically composing about 1% of the red cells in the human body. They are produced in the bone marrow and sent into the bloodstream before they have fully matured, where they develop into mature red blood cells.
Etymology
The term "reticulocyte" comes from the Latin reticulum, meaning "little net", and the Greek -cyte, meaning "cell". This is due to the reticulated (net-like) appearance of these cells under certain stains.
Function
Reticulocytes develop and mature in the bone marrow before being released into the bloodstream. They are a vital component of the body's hematopoietic system, which is responsible for the production of all blood cells. The number of reticulocytes in the blood is a key indicator of the body's red blood cell production rate, and can be used to diagnose and monitor conditions such as anemia and hemolytic disease.
Related Terms
- Erythropoiesis: The process by which red blood cells are produced.
- Hematology: The branch of medicine concerned with the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.
- Hemoglobin: The protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
- Anemia: A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.
- Hemolytic disease: A condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Reticulocytes
- Wikipedia's article - Reticulocytes
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