Target cell

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Target cells , target cells, or as in the English "Target cells" are erythrocytes with special morphology , which is popular with the thalassemia and other hemolytic anemia forms occur. They are characterized by the fact that they accumulate a particularly large amount of hemoglobin at the edge and in the center of the cell, usually caused by a membrane defect, while the area in between remains hemoglobin-free, so that the image of a target emerges.

Target cells also occur in liver diseases, especially in cholestasis , and after a spleen has been removed . In iron deficiency anemia , target cells can also develop as a result of the reduction in cytoplasmic volume.

Individual evidence

  1. Barbara J. Bain, Dieter Huhn: Roche Basic Course in Hematological Morphology. ISBN 3-89412-299-4 , p. 63 ( online )
  2. R. Mitschke: Interpretation of changes in the blood smear - 2. Erythrocytes and thrombocytes. In: Fachpraxis 49 (2006), pp. 14-20.