basophil
Last reviewed 01/2018
A basophil is a type of white blood cell derived from a promyelocyte precursor within bone marrow. It is characterised by large, irregular granules within its cytoplasm which stain purple-black with Romanowsky stains.
Basophils are related to connective tissue mast cells. They share a similar functional mechanism and role in hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis.