Basophils

Basophils
Appearance:

  
The basophilic granulocyte at 10 to 14 µm is smaller than the other granulocytes. The coarse, dark violet granules are  tightly packed and extensively overlay the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Normal range:
The normal range for basophilis is to x 109/L. Consequently, they are very rarely found in the blood film. An increase of the basophil count is termed basophilia.
Function:
Basophils have an important role to play in hypersensivity reactions. They are also able to leave the bloodstream and to emigrate to the surrounding tissue.
Clinical Significance:
Basophilia is often present in cases of chronic myelocytic leukemia or the other myeloproliferative syndromes, particularly polycythemia vera.