Red Blood Cells, Rouleaux Formation, SEM

Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a number of red blood cells found enmeshed in a fibrinous matrix on the luminal surface of an indwelling vascular; Magnified 7766x. In this instance, the indwelling catheter was a tube that was left in place creating a patent portal directly into a blood vessel. Some of the erythrocytes are grouped in a stack known as a Rouleaux formation. Note the biconcave cytomorphologic shape of each erythrocyte, which increases the surface area of these hemoglobin-filled cells, thereby, promoting a greater degree of gas exchange, which is their primary function in an in vivo setting. In their adult phase, these cells possess no nucleus. What appears to be irregularly-shaped chunks of debris, are actually fibrin clumps, which when inside the living organism, functions as a key component in the process of blood clot formation, acting to entrap the red blood cells in a mesh-like latticework of proteinaceous strands, thereby, stabilizing and strengthening the clot, in much the same way as rebar acts to strengthen, and reinforce cement.

Credit
Science Source / CDC/Science Source

Dimensions
2835 x 1927 pixels

Print Size @ 300 dpi
9 x 6 inches / 24 x 16 cm

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