echinocyte

See also: acanthocyte

English

blood smear showing many echinocytes, namely RBCs with cytoplasmic projections which, in contrast to acanthocytes, are typically evenly spaced on the cell surface, more numerous (often 10 to 15 per cell), and frequently less sharp.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐχῖνος (ekhînos, “hedgehog; sea urchin”) +‎ -cyte.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈkaɪnəsaɪt/

Noun

echinocyte (plural echinocytes)

1. (biology, medicine) A red blood cell with abnormal appearance characterized by many small, evenly spaced thorny projections.

Synonyms

• burr cell (more commonly)
• crenated RBC

Derived terms

• echinocytic
• echinocytogenic
• echinocytosis
• elliptoechinocyte
• spheroechinocyte

Translations

burr cell — see burr cell