Target cell

Target cells, target cells, or as in English " target cells" are erythrocytes with special morphology that occur mainly in thalassemia and other hemolytic anemia forms. They are characterized in that they are usually caused by a defective membrane, at the edge and in the center of the cell accumulates very much hemoglobin, while the area in between remains hemoglobin- free, so that the image of a target results.

Target cells also occur in liver illness and diseases, especially in cholestasis, and after removal of the spleen. Even with iron deficiency anemia target cells can occur as a result of the reduction of Zytoplasmavolumens.