A band cell (also called band neutrophil, band form or stab cell) is a cell undergoing granulopoiesis, derived from a metamyelocyte, and leading to a mature granulocyte.
It is characterized by having a nucleus which is curved, but not lobar.
The term "band cell" implies a granulocytic lineage (e.g. neutrophils).
Video Band cell
Clinical significance
Band neutrophils are an intermediary step prior to the complete maturation of segmented neutrophils. An increase in band neutrophils typically means that the bone marrow has been signaled to release more WBCs and increase production of WBCs, also known as a "left shift". Most often this is due to infection or inflammation in the body.
Blood reference ranges for neutrophilic band cells in adults are 3 to 5% of white blood cells, or up to 0.7 x109/L.
An excess may sometimes be referred to as bandemia.
Maps Band cell
See also
- Pluripotential hemopoietic stem cell
Additional images
References
External links
- Histology image: 01807loa - Histology Learning System at Boston University - "Bone Marrow and Hemopoiesis: bone marrow smear, neutrophil series"
- Histology at KUMC blood-blood11
- Histology image: 75_07 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
- Histology at okstate.edu
- Slide at hematologyatlas.com - "Neutrophil band" visible in second row
- Interactive diagram at lycos.es
Source of article : Wikipedia