b. Proplasmocyte.
Size. Fourteen to 22 microns in diameter.
(1)
(2) Nucleus. The nucleus is ovoid and located eccentrically. The chromatin
is purple, coarser, and more clumped. One to two nucleoli are present. The nucleus-
cytoplasm ratio is 2:1.
(3) Cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is pale blue, nongranular. A lighter-staining
area in the middle of the cell (in the cytoplasm, next to the nucleus) may become visible.
This is termed a hof.
Figure 4-6b. Plasmocytic series: Proplasmocyte.
c. Plasmocyte.
(1)
Size.
Eight to 20 microns in diameter.
(2) Nucleus. The nucleus is small, ovoid, and eccentrically located. The
chromatin is coarse, lumpy, and purple. Nucleoli are not usually present. The nucleus-
cytoplasm ratio is 1:2.
(3) Cytoplasm. The cytoplasm adjacent to the nucleus is lightly stained in
contrast to the periphery of the cell that has a high saturation of red and blue dyes. In
same cells, the dark cytoplasm has a greenish or larkspur-blue color. The cytoplasm
contains multiple small and relatively unstained globules embedded in a bluish-red
filamentous matrix. It is the presence of these tapioca-like globules in the dark
surrounding medium that gives the plasmocyte its characteristic mottled and foamy
appearance and its brilliant translucency. In occasional cells, the globules can be quite
prominent and take a red or bluish-red stain. Such globules are called Russell or
fuchsin bodies, or eosinophilic globules. Vacuoles of various sizes are frequently
demonstrable.
Figure 4-6c. Plasmocytic series: Plasmocyte.
MD0853
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