Definition
- Leucocytes (white blood cells) are nucleated blood cells providing the body's defence functions; classified as granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes (lymphocytes, monocytes).
Total leucocyte count4,000 to 11,000 per mm³ of blood
Classification and Normal Counts
Types of leucocytes and their normal distribution
Type
Neutrophils
- DLC (%)
- 50 to 70
- Absolute count (per cu mm)
- 2000 to 2750
Eosinophils
- DLC (%)
- 2 to 4
- Absolute count (per cu mm)
- 40 to 440
Basophils
- DLC (%)
- 0 to 1
- Absolute count (per cu mm)
- 20 to 80
Lymphocytes
- DLC (%)
- 20 to 40
- Absolute count (per cu mm)
- 500 to 8000
Monocytes
- DLC (%)
- 2 to 8
- Absolute count (per cu mm)
- ~400 (average)
- After a short circulating life, leucocytes enter tissues; there monocytes transform into macrophages, a component of the mononuclear phagocyte system.