sickle cell

Introduction

Sickle-shaped erythrocyte seen in peripheral blood 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

• sickle cell (hemoglobin SS) disease