What is the expected appearance of a metamyelocyte?

The expected appearance of a metamyelocyte is characterized by an indented nucleus. Metamyelocytes are a stage in the development of white blood cells, specifically granulocytes, and are typically found in the bone marrow. At this stage of maturation, the nucleus often displays a distinctive indentation that gives it a somewhat kidney-shaped or 'C' shaped appearance.

This indentation is an important feature that differentiates metamyelocytes from earlier stages, such as myeloblasts and promyelocytes, which have round and less indented nuclei. Understanding this morphological characteristic is crucial for identifying various stages of leukocyte development in clinical hematology.