nonspherocytic

Nonspherocytic refers to a characteristic of red blood cells that are not spherical in shape. In a typical and healthy blood sample, red blood cells are disc-shaped and slightly indented in the center, a form that allows for efficient passage through narrow blood vessels and maximal surface area for gas exchange.

The term "nonspherocytic" is often used in the context of hemolytic anemias, a group of blood disorders where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. In some of these anemias, the red blood cells may have abnormal shapes, such as oval (elliptical) or irregular forms, instead of their normal biconcave disc shape. These abnormal shapes can lead to premature destruction of the red blood cells by the spleen and liver, contributing to the anemia.

One of the most common causes of nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia is hereditary elliptocytosis, a genetic disorder characterized by a high proportion of elliptically shaped red blood cells. Other genetic defects affecting the red blood cell membrane or internal structure can also result in nonspherocytic anemias. Acquired conditions, though less common, can also lead to nonspherocytic red blood cells and subsequent hemolysis. Diagnosis typically involves a peripheral blood smear to visualize the cell morphology, along with genetic testing and other laboratory investigations to identify the underlying cause.