megaloblast

megaloblast /meg·a·lo·blast/ (meg´ah-lo-blast″) a large, nucleated, immature progenitor of an abnormal erythrocytic series; the abnormal form corresponding to the normoblast.megaloblas´tic

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meg·a·lo·blast (mg-l-blst)

n.

An abnormally large nucleated red blood cell found especially in pernicious anemia or in certain vitamin deficiencies.

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mega·lo·blastic adj.

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Megaloblast

A large erythroblast (a red marrow cell that synthesizes hemoglobin).

Mentioned in: Anemias

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megaloblast

[meg′əlōblast′]

Etymology: Gk, megas + blastos, germ

an abnormally large nucleated immature erythrocyte that develops in large numbers in the bone marrow and is plentiful in the circulation in anemias associated with deficiency of vitamin B₁₂, folic acid, or intrinsic factor. Effective treatment is the intramuscular injection of vitamin B₁₂. megaloblastic, adj.

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megaloblast

a large, nucleated immature progenitor of an abnormal erythrocytic series; megaloblasts are present in the blood in certain anemias. These changes reflect asynchronism in maturation between cytoplasm and nucleus. Observed in folic acid responsive anemias.