Echinocyte
Echinocyte
Echinocyte (pronounced: eh-ki-no-site) is a type of Red blood cell that has a series of short, evenly spaced thorny projections. The term "echinocyte" is derived from the Greek word "echinos", meaning "hedgehog" or "sea urchin".
Etymology
The term "echinocyte" comes from the Greek "echinos", meaning "hedgehog" or "sea urchin", and "cyte", a common suffix in biology that originates from the Greek "kytos", meaning "cell". This is due to the cell's resemblance to a sea urchin with its spiky projections.
Description
Echinocytes, also known as burr cells, are Red blood cells that have undergone a shape change to become spiculated. This change is typically due to alterations in the balance of ions and water in the cell, often as a result of underlying medical conditions or the use of certain medications.
Related Terms
- Spiculated cells: Cells that have sharp, needle-like projections.
- Acanthocyte: A type of red blood cell that has irregularly spaced, thorny projections.
- Stomatocyte: A type of red blood cell that has a mouth-like shape.
- Spherocyte: A type of red blood cell that is small, round, and lacks the usual central pallor.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Echinocyte
- Wikipedia's article - Echinocyte
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