Stomatocytes are red blood cells that are bowl-shaped instead of biconcave. The term comes from the appearance of the cells when lying flat on a slide. A slit of central pallor makes the cell look like a mouth which is the word “stoma” in Greek.
These cells can be hereditary or seen in liver disease or alcoholism. They can also form as an artifact from slow slide drying.
Appearance
Stomatocytes are red blood cells with a central slit, making it look like a mouth. If slits are all oriented in the same direction, it is likely artifactual from slow slide drying.
