Definition

1. Noun:
   • An immature leukocyte normally found in bone marrow: A myelocyte is a type of cell that is a precursor in the formation of granulocytes (a category of white blood cells). It is typically observed in the bone marrow during normal hematopoiesis (blood cell formation) and is not usually present in significant numbers in the circulating blood.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The presence of myelocytes in the peripheral blood smear can be an indicator of certain medical conditions, such as a severe infection or a bone marrow disorder.
  • Under the microscope, the pathologist identified the cell as a myelocyte based on its large size and the characteristic appearance of its nucleus.
  • In healthy individuals, myelocytes mature fully within the bone marrow before being released into the bloodstream as neutrophils, eosinophils, or basophils.

Advanced Usage

• "Myelocyte series": Refers to the sequence of developmental stages from a myeloblast to a mature granulocyte, with the being a key intermediate stage.
  • The laboratory report noted an increase in the early cells of the myelocyte series, suggesting a hyperactive bone marrow response.

Variants and Related Words

• Myelocytic (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by myelocytes.

  • The patient's condition was described as having a myelocytic predominance in the bone marrow biopsy.

• Promyelocyte (n): The developmental stage that precedes the myelocyte.

  • The leukemia was classified as acute promyelocytic leukemia, originating from cells earlier than the myelocyte stage.

• Metamyelocyte (n): The developmental stage that follows the myelocyte, just before the cell becomes a mature band cell.

  • After the myelocyte stage, the cell becomes a metamyelocyte with a indented nucleus.

Synonyms

• Immature granulocyte: A more general term that can include as well as their immediate precursors and successors in the development line.
• Granulocyte precursor: Emphasizes the cell's role as a forerunner to mature granulocytic white blood cells.

Related Terms in Context

• Leukocyte: The broad category of white blood cells to which the mature forms of belong.
• Bone marrow: The primary site where are normally found and mature.
• Hematopoiesis: The process of blood cell formation in which are produced.

Noun

1. an immature leukocyte normally found in bone marrow