What is Granulocyte?
[[File:Neutrophil2.jpg|thumb|A neutrophil with a segmented nucleus (center and surrounded by [[erythrocyte]]s), the intra-cellular granules are visible in the [[cytoplasm]] ([[Giemsa]] stained high magnification)]] [[File:pBEosinophil.jpg|framed|Eosinophil granulocyte]] [[File:pBBasophil.jpg|framed|A basophil with lobed nuclei surrounded by erythrocytes]] '''Granulocytes''' are a category of [[white blood cell]]s which have [[Granule (cell biology)|granule]]s in their [[cytoplasm]].<ref>Hoffbrand A.V. Pettit J.E. and Moss P.A.H. 2005. ''Essential haematology'' 4th ed, Blackwell, Oxford. {{ISBN|0-632-05153-1}}</ref> They are also called '''polymorphonuclear leukocytes''' because of the shape of the [[cell nucleus|nucleus]], which has three segments. The term ''polymorphonuclear leukocyte'' often refers just to [[neutrophil]]s, the most abundant of the granulocytes. Granulocytes are released from the [[bone marrow]]. They operate by [[phagocytosis]] and other means.<ref>Ernst J.D. and Stendahl O. (eds) 2006. ''Phagocytosis of bacteria and bacterial pathogenicity'', Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|0-521-84569-6}} [http://www.cambridge.org/9780521845694 Website]</ref> ==Types of granulocytes== There are three types of granulocytes, distinguished by their appearance under Wright's stain: * [[Neutrophil]] granulocytes * [[Eosinophil]] granulocytes * [[Basophil]] granulocytes Their names are derived from their [[stain]]ing characteristics; for example, the most abundant granulocyte is the [[neutrophil granulocyte]], which has neutrally-staining [[cytoplasm]]ic granules. Other white blood cells which are not granulocytes are mainly [[lymphocyte]]s and [[monocyte]]s. ==Related pages== * [[Agranulocytosis]] (not enough white blood cells in the blood) == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Immunology]] [[Category:Blood cells]]