sickle cell (drepanocyte)

Laboratory

• sickle-shaped, spindle-shaped or crescent-shaped erythrocyte seen in peripheral blood smears of patients with sickle cell disease
• sickle cells are elongated, crescentic-shaped erythrocytes
• the sickle-cell appearance occurs secondary to hemoglobin precipitation under conditions of low oxygen tension

More general terms

• erythrocyte; red blood cell (RBC)

Additional terms

• Howell-Jolly body
• sickle cell (hemoglobin SS) disease
• target cell