Sep

18

2021

What is a poikilocyte?

By William Aird

An abnormally shaped red cell

Examples of poikilocytes include:

  • Sickle cells (drepanocytes)
  • Burr cells (echinocytes)
  • Spur cells (acanthocytes)
  • Target cells (codocytes)
  • Spherocytes
  • Elliptocytes (includes pencil cells)
  • Stomatocytes
  • Bite cells
  • Tear drop cells (dacrocytes)
  • Schistocytes (includes helmet cells, horn cells, triangular cells, microspherocytes)
  • Fish-shaped red cells