| Reticulocyte | |
|---|---|
 Reticulocytes | |
 Erythrocytes (mature cells) | |
| Details | |
| Gives rise to | Red blood cells |
| Location | Bone marrow (most), blood (some) |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | reticulocytus |
| MeSH | D012156 |
| TH | H2.00.04.1.01007 |
| FMA | 66785 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
In hematology, reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs). In the process of erythropoiesis (red blood cell formation), reticulocytes develop and mature in the bone marrow and then circulate for about a day in the blood stream before developing into mature red blood cells. Like mature red blood cells, in mammals, reticulocytes do not have a cell nucleus. They are called reticulocytes because of a reticular (mesh-like) network of ribosomal RNA that becomes visible under a microscope with certain stains such as new methylene blue and Romanowsky stain.