CH 17 – WBC CH 17 – WBC MorphologyMorphology

Five Types of Leukocytes (WBCs)

Granular Leukocytes

Neutrophil

Eosinophil

Basophil

Neutrophil 60-70% of all WBC’s Anatomy

10-12 µm diameter 2-6 nuclear lobes Fine, pale inconspicuous

granules Physiology

Respond first to bacteria damage by chemotaxis

Phagocytosis After engulfing pathogen

releases several chemicals

lysozyme strong oxidants defensins

Eosinophil 2-4% of all WBC’s Anatomy

10-12 µm diameter 2 connected nuclear

lobes red/orange large,

uniform granules, do not obscure the nucleus

Physiology exit capillaries, enter

tissue fluid combat parasites

histamine phagocytize antigen-

antibody complexes

Basophil 0.5-1% of all WBC’s Anatomy

8-10 µm diameter bilobed or irregular

nucleus round, blue-black

granules may obscure the nucleus

Physiology exit capillaries to enter

tissue fluid mature into mast cells

release heparin, histamine, serotonin – stimulate inflammation

Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions

Agranular Leukocytes

Lymphocyte

Monocyte

Lymphocytes

20-25% of all WBC’s

Anatomy 7-15µm nucleus large and

dark stained, round or indented

cytoplasm forms a pale blue rim around the nucleus

Monocytes 3-8% of all WBC’s Anatomy

14-19 µm indented or kidney-

shaped nucleus (not round)

cytoplasm foamy Physiology

slower to arrive but survive longer

enlarge, differentiate into fixed and wandering macrophages

remove microbes, cellular debris, following injury

End

WBC Morphology

CH 17