Recognition and identification of RBC morphologic abnormalities can be an invaluable aid in the diagnosis of a variety of disorders. Observation of RBC morphology from a properly prepared smear will also confirm the red cell indices reported by the hematology analyzer.
RBC morphology can be visualized by examining erythrocytes on a Wright or Wright-Giemsa stained peripheral blood smear. Evaluation of red cell morphology involves differentiating normal morphology from abnormal and artifactual morphology.
