CBC

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X

Basophil (Close-up)	Complete blood count - series	Formed elements of blood	Malaria, microscopic view of cellular parasites
Malaria, photomicrograph of cellular parasites	Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells	Red blood cells, elliptocytosis	Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells
Red blood cells, normal	Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer	Red blood cells, sickle cell	Red blood cells, sickle cells
Red blood cells, spherocytosis	Red blood cells, target cells	Red blood cells, tear-drop shape

Complete blood count

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

Red blood cells transport hemoglobin which, in turn, transports oxygen. The amount of oxygen received by tissue depends on the amount and function of RBCs and hemoglobin. The MCV, MCH, and MCHC reflect the size and hemoglobin content of individual red blood cells.

The hematocrit is an expression of the proportion of whole blood that is composed of red blood cells (since the contribution by the WBCs is almost negligible). The hematocrit is a compound measure of RBC number and size.

WBCs are mediators of inflammation and the immune response. There are various types of WBCs that normally appear in the blood:

• Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes)
• Band cells (slightly immature neutrophils)
• T-type lymphocytes (T cells)
• B-type lymphocytes (B cells)
• Monocytes
• Eosinophils
• Basophils

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.