Figure 26.14.

Pyknotic and Necrotic Cells.

(A), Upper cell is a neutrophil whose nucleus is dehydrated, which makes it very dark and dense. Note that there is still a filament between the segments. This is referred to as a pyknotic cell. The cell is also vacuolated. (B), Neutrophil that has died. Note that the nucleus has disintegrated into numerous rounded spheres of DNA with no filaments. This is referred to as a necrotic or necrobiotic cell. (Peripheral blood, Wright-Giemsa stain, ×1000.)

(B from Carr, J. H., & Rodak, B. F. [2009]. Clinical Hematology Atlas. [3rd ed.]. St. Louis: Saunders.)