White blood cells

*Function: immunity. *Normal count :4-10X109/L. *Two main Types: (1)Granulocytes: have granules in the cytoplasm. (2)A granulocytes: no granules in cytoplasm.

Granulocytes 1- Neutrophils. 2- Eosinophils. 3- Basophils.

A granulocytes 1-Monocytes. 2-Lymphocyts.

Granulocytes
(1)Neutrophils

*Size: 9-15 L in diameter. *Cytoplasm: Few non specific (primary) granules full complement of pink to rose specific granules (secondary). *Nucleus:- Nprmally2-5 lobes connected by thin nuclear filaments ,coarse clumped chromatin. *Faction:- Specially active against bacteria. *Life span: live for 6-10 hours.

(2)Eosinophils

*Size: 9-15 L in diameter. *Cytoplasm: Contains the full complement of large reddish-orange granules(specific granules). *Nucleus: usually has 2 lobes(2-3),coarse clumped chromatin pattern. Granules contain major basic protein which kills parasites So number increase in allergic conditions and parasitic infections.

(3)Basophils

*Size: 10-16L. *Cytoplasm: Stains slightly dark purple to blue-black granules. *Nucleus:- Does not appear as coarse as in the Neutrophil or eosnophil. (Generally un segmented or bilobed has three or four lobes.) (The granules usually over lie the nucleus). * The granules contain histamine and heparin.

A granulocytes
(1)Monocyte

*Size: 14-20L. *Cytoplasm: abundant-blue gray outline may be irregular because of the presence of pseudopods. Many fine azurophilic granules giving ground glass appearance .Vacuoles may some times be present. *Nucleus: Round or kidney shaped or may show slight lobulation. It may be folded over on top of it self thus showing brain like convolution. -No nuclei are visible. -chromatin is fine and lacey (not clumped) arranged in skein like strands.

*Leave the blood to tissues *In the tissues they transformed into large phagocytic cells forming: (Tissue macrophage system).

(2)Lymphocytes

 The lymphocytes found in the peripheral blood occurs in varying sizes. For purposes of description they are divided into three(3) categories: Small , Medium and large with a size variation of 8-16 lin diameter. (i) Small lymphocyte

*Size: 8-10L.(approximately the size of normal RbCs). *Cytoplasm: usually thin rim around the nucleus moderate to dark blue. *Nucleus: -chromatin is dense and clumped. -Round or oval clumped may be slightly indented. -No nuclei. (ii) Medium lymphocyte

*Size:- 10-12L. *Cytoplasm: more abundant clear pale blue to moderate blue may or may not contain azuropilic granules.

Nucleus: - Dense clumped chromatin but not as in small lymphocyte. -No nucleoli round or oval may be slightly indented. * Large lymphocyte

*Size:- 12-16L. *Cytoplasm:- Abundant clear very pale blue may or may not contain azuropilic granules. *Nucleus:- -Coarse chromatin -No nucleoli. -Round or oval may be slightly indented. -may be eccentrically located.