Red blood cells
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Candace Makeda Moore had no recorded disclosures.
View Candace Makeda Moore's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Tariq Walizai had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Tariq Walizai's current disclosures- Red blood cells (RBCs)
- Erythrocytes
- Erythrocyte
- Red blood cell (RBC)
- Red cell
- Red cells
- Haematids
- Haematid
- Hematid
- Hematids
Red blood cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes (or rarely haematids), are cells that carry oxygen by means of hemoglobin, and form part of the cellular component of blood as it circulates throughout the body. These extremely common cells are typically made in the bone marrow in a process called erythropoiesis. During this process in humans, the red blood cell nuclei are expelled.
Normal red blood cells live about 120 days before destruction, however certain diseases will alter the survival time of these cells.
Erythrocytes are typed by their surface antigens (which define blood groups) for safe blood transfusion.
Radiological importance
labeled erythrocytes are often used in nuclear medicine, e.g. Tc-99m labeled erythrocytes can be used to assess GI bleeding
References
- 1. Koleva L, Bovt E, Ataullakhanov F, Sinauridze E. Erythrocytes as Carriers: From Drug Delivery to Biosensors. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(3):276. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12030276 - Pubmed
- 2. D'Alessandro A, Dzieciatkowska M, Nemkov T, Hansen K. Red Blood Cell Proteomics Update: Is There More to Discover? Blood Transfus. 2017;15(2):182-7. doi:10.2450/2017.0293-16 - Pubmed
- 3. Suzman M, Talmor M, Jennis R, Binkert B, Barie P. Accurate Localization and Surgical Management of Active Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage with Technetium-Labeled Erythrocyte Scintigraphy. Ann Surg. 1996;224(1):29-36. doi:10.1097/00000658-199607000-00005 - Pubmed
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Related articles: Histology
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blood
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histological stains
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