Target erythrocyte

Target-shaped red blood cells (target cells): The central part of red blood cells is darkly stained, with a pale area around it, and the edges of the cells are darkly stained, like a target for shooting. Some central deep-stained areas do not resemble islands, but resemble a peninsula state or stalk-like shape extending from the edge of red blood cells. Target red blood cells can be larger or normal in diameter than normal red blood cells, but become thinner. Target red blood cells are common in a variety of hypochromic anemias, and are especially visible in globin-producing anemias.