A neutrophil with a segmented nucleus (center and surrounded by erythrocytes), the intra-cellular granules are visible in the cytoplasm (Giemsa stained high magnification)

Eosinophil granulocyte

A basophil with lobed nuclei surrounded by erythrocytes

Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells which have granules in their cytoplasm. They are also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes because of the shape of the nucleus, which has three segments. The term polymorphonuclear leukocyte often refers just to neutrophils, the most abundant of the granulocytes.

Granulocytes are released from the bone marrow. They operate by phagocytosis and other means. view more...