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Calculation of the number of red (RBC) or white (WBC) blood cells in a cubic millimeter of blood, by means of counting the cells in an accurate volume of diluted blood.
- complete b. (CBC) a combination of the following determinations: red blood cell count, white blood cell count, erythrocyte indices, hematocrit, differential b., and sometimes platelet count.
- differential white b. an estimate of the percentage of each white blood cell type making up the total white blood cell count.
- Schilling b. a method of counting blood in which the polymorphonuclear neutrophils are separated into four groups according to the number and arrangement of the nuclear masses in these cells. SYN: Schilling index.
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blood count n the determination of the blood cells in a definite volume of blood also the number of cells so determined see COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT, DIFFERENTIAL BLOOD COUNT
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the numbers of different blood cells in a known volume of blood, usually expressed as the number of cells per litre. A sample of blood at known dilution is passed through a narrow opening in an electronic counting device. Blood-count investigations are important in the diagnosis of blood diseases. See also differential leucocyte count.
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blood cell count determination of the number of formed elements in a cubic millimeter of blood; it may be a complete blood count or it may measure just one of the formed elements. Methods include manual counts with a hemacytometer and automated counts with a flow cytometer, a Coulter counter, or other means.Medical dictionary. 2011.