Abnormal microscopic appearance of blood cells in which their usually smooth margins appear irregular. It usually occurs after a blood specimen has been stored for a long time, but may occasionally indicate a blood disorder.
n. an abnormal appearance of red blood cells seen under a microscope, in which the normally smooth cell margins appear crinkly or irregular. Crenation may be a feature of certain blood disorders, but most commonly occurs as a result of prolonged storage of a blood specimen prior to preparation of a blood film. See also burr cell.
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