Blast cells
Blast Cells
Blast cells (pronounced: /blæst sɛlz/) are immature cells that have not yet developed into their final cell type. They are often found in the bone marrow, where they develop into different types of blood cells.
Etymology
The term "blast" comes from the Greek word "blastos", meaning "sprout", which reflects the cell's potential to develop into a mature cell. The term "cell" comes from the Latin "cella", meaning "small room", which describes the appearance of cells when viewed under a microscope.
Types of Blast Cells
There are several types of blast cells, including:
- Myeloblasts: These cells develop into white blood cells called granulocytes.
- Lymphoblasts: These cells develop into lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
- Monoblasts: These cells develop into monocytes, a type of white blood cell.
- Erythroblasts: These cells develop into red blood cells.
- Megakaryoblasts: These cells develop into platelets, which help with blood clotting.
Clinical Significance
In a healthy individual, blast cells make up a small percentage of the cells in the bone marrow. However, an increase in the number of blast cells can be a sign of certain diseases, such as leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. In these conditions, the bone marrow produces too many immature cells, which can crowd out the mature cells and lead to symptoms such as fatigue, infection, and bleeding.
Related Terms
- Hematopoiesis: The process by which blood cells are formed.
- Bone Marrow: The spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells.
- Leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A group of disorders caused by poorly formed blood cells or cells that don't work properly.
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