Granulocyte: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell that has small granules, which contain proteins. The specific types of granulocytes are neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
P Granulocytes, specifically neutrophils, help the body fight bacterial infections. The number of granulocytes in the body usually increases when there is a serious infection. People with a lower number of granulocytes are more likely to develop bad infections more often.
P Granulocytes are counted as part of a white blood cell differential test.

T Images
- Granulocyte

T References
P Hall JE. Resistance of the body to infection: I. leukocytes, granulocytes, the monocyte-macrophage system, and inflammation. In: Hall JE, ed. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 34.

T Review Date 2/1/2017
P Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

