Band cell

A band cell (also called band neutrophil, band form or stab cell) is a cell undergoing granulopoiesis, derived from a metamyelocyte, and leading to a mature granulocyte.Band neutrophil in peripheral blood filmHematopoiesis A band cell (also called band neutrophil, band form or stab cell) is a cell undergoing granulopoiesis, derived from a metamyelocyte, and leading to a mature granulocyte. It is characterized by having a curved but not lobular nucleus. The term 'band cell' implies a granulocytic lineage (e.g., neutrophils). Band neutrophils are an intermediary step prior to the complete maturation of segmented neutrophils. An increase in band neutrophils typically means that the bone marrow has been signaled to release more WBCs and increase production of WBCs, also known as a 'left shift'. Most often this is due to infection or inflammation in the body. Blood reference ranges for neutrophilic band cells in adults are 3 to 5% of white blood cells, or up to 0.7 x109/L. An excess may sometimes be referred to as bandemia.