Hematology

Morphology of Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts in Bone Marrow

Morphological criteria for osteoblasts and multinucleated osteoclasts in bone marrow smears: differential diagnosis from plasma cells.

Bone marrow smear: osteoblasts with arcoplasm and a multinucleated osteoclast, May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain
Bone marrow smear: osteoblasts with arcoplasm and a multinucleated osteoclast, May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain

Osteoblasts (green arrow) with characteristic morphology: eccentric nucleus, sometimes a visible nucleolus, basophilic cytoplasm with an indistinct contour, and arcoplasm separated from the nucleus by a cytoplasmic band, in contrast to plasma cells. Osteoclast (red arrow) with several separated nuclei.

Sample type: Bone marrow Staining type: May-Grünwald-Giemsa Author(s): De Poo Rodríguez M. Victoria, Bonafonte Arruga Elena, Asaceta Reinares Gemma Workplace: Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital. Zaragoza