Definition
- The red blood cell (erythrocyte) is a circular, non-nucleated, biconcave disc.
- Normal count:
- Adult males: 4.5 to 6 million/mm3 (average 5.2 million).
- Adult females: 4 to 5.5 million/mm3 (average 4.7 million).
- Red cells are destroyed by the tissue macrophage system.
RBC lifespan120 days
Red Cell Structure and Dimensions
Red cell dimensions
Parameter
Shape
- Value
- Biconcave
Diameter
- Value
- 7.5 µm (7 to 8 µm)
Thickness
- Value
- 2 µm at periphery, 1 µm at center
Surface area
- Value
- 140 µm²
Volume
- Value
- 87 µm³ (78 to 94 µm³)
Red cell shape, side view and surface view