10.6: Megakaryocytes

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 38824

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

: An image from a bone marrow smear showing a normal megakaryocyte with multiple nuclear lobes. 50x oil immersion. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R3FF3MF8N

: An image from a bone marrow smear showing a megakaryocyte (indicated by an arrow) in the tails of the smear. 10x magnification. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R3TQ5RV93

: An image from a bone marrow smear showing three megakaryocytes in the tail of the smear. 10x magnification. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R3K64B82D

Notes: Develop and are mainly found in the bone marrow. Maturation usually involves the division of nucleus but not the division of the cytoplasm, this gives rise to a polyploid cell.¹

Nucleus-to-Cytoplasm Ratio: Variable ²

Nucleoli: N/A ²

Nucleus:

Variable number of lobes (2-32)²

Cytoplasm:²

Abundant

Blue to purple cytoplasm

Reddish blue granules may be visible

% in Bone Marrow: 5-10 (per field at 100x magnification)²

% in Peripheral Blood: None

References:

1. Lynne Williams J. The Platelet. In: Clinical laboratory hematology. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2015. p. 144–53.

2. Rodak BF, Carr JH. Megakaryocyte maturation. In: Clinical hematology atlas. 5th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.; 2017. p. 31-40.