Polychromatophilia due to increased reticulocytes

Peripheral blood smear taken from a patient with increased reticulocytes. Unlike mature red cells (arrows), which have central pallor and are the same size as the nucleus of a small lymphocyte (arrowhead), reticulocytes (dashed arrows) are larger, have a blue tint, and lack central pallor because they are not biconcave discs. (Wright-Giemsa stain.)

High-power view of a normal peripheral blood smear. Several platelets (arrowheads) and a normal lymphocyte (arrow) can also be seen. The red cells are of relatively uniform size and shape. The diameter of the normal red cell should approximate that of the nucleus of the small lymphocyte; central pallor (dashed arrow) should equal one-third of its diameter.