Apoptotic Leukocytes and Nuclear Pyknosis in Blood Smears

Morphological signs of leukocyte apoptosis in blood smears: chromatin condensation, nuclear pyknosis, and karyorrhexis due to prolonged sample storage.

Editorial team 1 min October 6, 2025

Blood smear: sequential stages of leukocyte nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation

Blood smear: apoptotic leukocyte with three rounded pyknotic nuclei

Blood smear: degeneratively altered granulocyte with condensed nucleus

Blood smear: cytoplasmic vacuolization and karyorrhexis in an apoptotic cell

Blood smear: leukocyte nucleus breakdown into multiple small pyknotic bodies

Morphology of apoptotic leukocytes. Pyknotic nuclei. Prolonged blood sample transportation. 💎 Find a large database of photos with descriptions in our Library of Blood and Bone Marrow Secrets. The library volume is over 80 gigabytes! The link with access to the library is automatically sent to you via private message after paying for a VK donut Leukformula subscription.