| Definition |
A blood test that provides information about the number and shape of blood cells by visual inspection. Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding. The blood is examined under a microscope. It may be examined by a special automated "calculator", a technologist, a hematologist, and/or a pathologist. Information is obtained about the relative number and kinds of white blood cells (differential), morphological (shape) abnormalities of all types of blood cells, and a rough estimate of white cell and platelet counts.
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