1. Histopathological findings of basophilic nuclear remnants (clusters of DNA) in circulating erythrocytes. During maturation in the bone marrow erythrocytes normally expel their nuclei, but in some cases a small portion of DNA remains. (wikipedia.org)
2. Spherical or ovoid nuclear fragments found in newly differentiated erythrocytes. Red Blood cells with these bodies appear in greater numbers after a splenectomy. (www.bloodbook.com)
3. Spherical or ovoid eccentrically located granules, approximately 1 um in diameter, occasionally observed in the stroma of circulating erythrocytes, especially in stained preparations (as compared with wet unstained films); probably represent nuclear remnants, inasmuch as they can be stained with dyes that are rather specific for chromatin; the significance of the body’s is not exactly known; they occur most frequently after splenectomy or in megaloblastic or severe haemolytic anaemia. (biology-online.org)
4. Small round remnants of nuclear DNA inside cell; present in sickle cell anaemia, haemolytic or megaloblastic anaemias, and may be seen after a splenectomy. (labtestsonline.org.uk)
Syn: Jolly bodies
Name origin: It is named for William Henry Howell and Justin Marie Jolly.