Normoblast

Overview
An erythroblast is a type of red blood cell which still retains a cell nucleus. It is the immediate precursor of a normal erythrocyte.

Nomenclature
The term normoblast is sometimes used as a synonym for erythroblast, but at other times it is considered a subcategory. In the latter context, there are two types of erythroblasts:


 * "normoblasts" - develop as expected
 * "megaloblasts" - an unusually large erythroblast that can be associated with pernicious anemia and folic acid deficiency (collectively called megaloblastic anemia)

Development
There are four stages in the development of a normoblast.