Metamyelocytes are not normally found in peripheral blood and are usually seen in response to stress or infection (known as a left shift). In these cases, they are often accompanied by bands. Certain leukemias can also lead to increased metamyelocytes.
It is also at this stage in which the neutrophil is no longer capable of cell division.
Appearance
Metamyelocyte cytoplasm is pink with specific granules distributed throughout, though it may still have few azurophilic primary granules. The nucleus is indented less than half of the nucleus, forming a kidney-shape. The chromatin in the nucleus is clumped.
Lookalikes
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