Diagnostic Laboratory Section

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEUKOCYTES

• Leukocytes are divided into two groups based on the staining reaction. There are granulocytes and the agranulocytes. The granulocytes include the neutrophils, eosinophils, and the basophils, while the agranulocytes are the lymphocytes and monocytes.

Neutrophil	Multi-lobed / segmented nucleus, cytoplasm filled with neutrally-staining granules.
Eosinophil	Small granule appear brick-red on staining with Romanowsky stains. Shorter and less segmented nuclei and the cytoplasm is pale blue.
Basophil	Large cytoplasmic granules appear purple on staining with Romanowsky stains.Rarely seen in peripheral blood.
Lymphocyte	Small cells with round nuclei, smooth, dense chromatin and a small rim of blue cytoplasm, which is very smooth and glassy.
Monocyte	Nuclear shape ranges from ameboid to bean-shaped. The cytoplasm is slightly grainy or coarse.