Description:

The cell is round or oval shape. Because of ameboid movements on the edge of the cell 1, 2 or more pseudopodiums can be seen.
Monocytes enter the blood and migrate to the tissues to become macrophages. Unlike neutrophils, monocytes in the peripheral blood retain mitochondria and ribosomes, so they are able to synthesize proteins.
Monocytes can be found in the peripheral blood of healthy adults, in the percentage of 1-9%, and in about 9% in children.

Size:

15-30 µm

Cytoplasm:

Relatively abundant dull grey-blue; may have a ground-glass appearance with a number of evenly distributed fine azurophilic granules.

Nucleus:

Usually round or kidney-shaped but may be markedly indented or even lobulated, with two or more lobes. The chromatin is arranged in strands with lighter spaces in between, giving a loose skein-like appearance.
It is located subcentrally or more towards the periphery of the cell. As a rule, the concave side of the nucleus faces the widest part of the cell.

Nucleoli:

Not visible.