Target Cells
Target cells are thin red blood cells that have an overabundance of cell membrane, which causes the cells to assume a bell shape while in circulation. When the cells are flattened out on a smear, the top of the bell is pushed to the center creating a central target or “bulls-eye.” Target cells are most commonly seen in the following clinical conditions:
- Liver disease
- Hemoglobinopathies
- Thalassemia
- Post-splenectomy
- Iron deficiency
- Drying artifact with uneven distribution on smear
