erythrocyte; red blood cell (RBC)

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Introduction

Red blood cells containing hemoglobin specialized to transport oxygen. In mammals, erythrocytes lose their nucleus, GOLGI, centrioles, endoplasmic reticulum & most of their mitochondria during maturation in the bone marrow before entering the blood stream.

Normal erythrocyte life span is 120 days.

Total body erythrocyte volume

  • males: 25-35 mL/kg
  • females 20-30 mL/kg

Laboratory

More general terms

More specific terms

Additional terms

References

  1. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
  2. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999