Smudge cells (AKA basket cells) are the nuclear remnants of leukocytes destroyed by the slide-making process. A few in normal blood may be artifactual. When accompanied by lymphocytosis however, smudge cells may indicate chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as the abnormal lymphocytes have increased fragility.
Appearance
Smudge cells are composed only of nuclear remnants. They look like smudges, hence the name.
