Through the Microscope: Blood Cells - Life's Blood

Lymphoblast

Lymphoblasts are 12-20 µm in diameter with a round to oval nucleus, sometimes eccentric in location. The nucleus to cytoplasm ratio is about 4:1 and the periphery of both the nucleus and the cell may be irregular in outline.

The fine, highly dispersed nuclear chromatin stains a light reddish-purple, and one or two pale blue or colorless large nucleoli are visible. The cytoplasm is usually agranular and deeply to moderately basophilic, with marginal (peripheral) intensity a common characteristic.