The terms for the size and color of red blood cells (RBCs) are combined to describe the RBC morphology observed on the slide. These descriptions take into account the indices reported by the automated instrument. This may then be used to categorize anemia and provide directions for additional testing.
Examples of morphologic descriptors are shown in the table below.
Table 1: RBC Descriptive TermsMCV and MCHC
| Peripheral Smear Observations
| Descriptive Terms
|
80-100 fL 32-36 g/dL |  | Normocytic/Normochromic (normal size and normal color/normal hemoglobin concentration) |
<80 fL <32 g/dL |  | Microcytic/Hypochromic (small size and reduced color/reduced hemoglobin concentration) |
>100 fL 32-36 g/dL |  | Macrocytic/Normochromic (large size and average color/average hemoglobin concentration) |
