Lecture : NEUTROPHILS-features-functions-variation in counts
2 Nov 2022
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The polymorphonuclear neutrophils, commonly called polymorphs or neutrophils, have following morphological features. Diameter of a neutrophil varies from 10 14 m. A young neutrophil has a single horseshoeshaped nucleus, which becomes lobed as the cell grows. Nucleus of a mature neutrophil is purple in colour and multilobed (2 6 lobes); that is why a neutrophil is also called polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The lobes of the nucleus are connected by the chromatin filaments, seen clearly through the cytoplasm. Cytoplasm of neutrophil is pale bluish in colour and full of fine (pinpoint) granules. Granules take both acidic and basic stain, and look violet-pink in colour. The neutrophils along with the monocytes constitute the first line of defence against the micro-organisms, viruses and other injurious agents that enter the body. Neutrophils subserve this role by the following mechanisms: The neutrophils engulf the foreign particles or bacteria, digest them and ultimately may kill them by a process called phagocytosis.
