An acanthocyte, also known as a spur cell, is an abnormally shaped red blood cell.
Characteristics of Acanthocytes
Acanthocytes are characterized by:
- Irregular shape: They are not the typical round shape of healthy red blood cells.
- Spikes: They have thorny, spike-like projections on their outer surface. These spikes make them appear "spurred."
- Density and shrinkage: Acanthocytes appear more dense and smaller than normal red blood cells.
Formation of Acanthocytes
These uniquely shaped cells form because of changes in the fats and proteins that make up the outer layers of red blood cells.
Prevalence of Acanthocytes
Most adults have a small number of acanthocytes present in their blood.
Key Features Summarized
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Shape | Irregular with spike-like projections |
| Appearance | Dense and shrunken |
| Other Names | Spur cells |
| Formation Cause | Alterations in red blood cell outer layer fats and proteins |
| Prevalence | Small numbers present in most adults |
