Abstract
This chapter presents an introduction to hematology. Hematology, the study of blood, deals with the examination of cells, the determination of blood groups, blood transfusion, antibody investigations, and other miscellaneous matters. Essentially, blood consists of innumerable microscopic cells—erythrocytes (red blood cells) and leucocytes (white blood cells). These are suspended in a pale-yellow fluid called plasma. It also contains minute structures called platelets or thrombocytes, which are necessary for the coagulation of shed blood. Blood cells are evolved in bone marrow and lymphoid tissue. Immature red and white cells are not normally present in the circulating blood. Leucocytes retain their nuclei when mature, but erythrocytes do not. Any nucleated red cells or immature white cells in the peripheral blood are a sign of blood disorder. Leucocytes are present in much smaller numbers than erythrocytes. The chapter discusses the structure and function of blood cells. Unstained leucocytes appear colorless, but a thin blood film, stained by the Romanowsky method, can be seen to contain white cells of three main types, namely, the granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
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