acanthocyte
noun
acan·tho·cyte
ə-ˈkan(t)-thə-ˌsīt
: an abnormal red blood cell having several unevenly spaced and variously shaped cytoplasmic projections with blunt tips
The presence of acanthocytes implies advanced liver disease and carries a worse prognosis.—Bruce R. Bacon et al., Comprehensive Clinical Hepatology
called also spur cell
Cite this Entry
“Acanthocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/acanthocyte. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share