Erythrocyte count

Erythrocyte Count

Erythrocyte count (pronunciation: /ɪˌrɪθrəʊˈsaɪt/), also known as red blood cell count, is a blood test that measures the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in a volume of blood. It is a part of the complete blood count (CBC), a common test performed in clinical laboratories.

Etymology

The term "erythrocyte" comes from the Greek words "erythros" meaning "red" and "kytos" meaning "hollow", referring to the red color and the cell's structure. The term "count" is derived from the Latin "computare", meaning "to calculate" or "to reckon".

Procedure

The erythrocyte count is usually performed using an automated machine that measures the number of all different cells in the blood, including erythrocytes. The results are typically reported in millions of cells per microliter (mcL) of blood.

Normal Range

The normal range for erythrocyte count varies between sexes and age groups. For adult males, it is typically between 4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcL, and for adult females, it is usually between 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL.

Related Terms

Hematocrit: The percentage of the total blood volume that is made up by red blood cells.
Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Anemia: A condition characterized by a lower than normal number of red blood cells or low levels of hemoglobin.
Polycythemia: A condition characterized by an elevated erythrocyte count.