The arrow points to a microcyte with normal hemoglobin content (one-third of central pallor). Since many of the other cells in this field are normal or larger than normal, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) would be within the normal range, although the diameter and volume of this individual cell would be lower than normal. This type of microcyte can be seen in some hemolytic anemias and the rare enzyme deficiency, pyruvate kinase deficiency anemia.
