complete blood count (CBC), a determination of the number of red and white blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood. A CBC is one of the most routinely performed tests in a clinical laboratory and one of the most valuable screening and diagnostic techniques. Most laboratories use an electronic counter for reporting numbers of red and white blood cells and platelets. Examining a stained slide of blood yields useful information about red cell morphological characteristics and types of white blood cells (WBCs). The normal red blood cell (RBC) count in adult males is 4.7 to 6.1 million/mm3. In adult females the normal RBC is 4.2 to 5.4 million/mm3. Each type of white blood cell can be represented as a percentage of the total number of white cells observed. This is called a differential count. The normal adult WBC count is 5000 to 10,000/cm3. Electronic blood counters also automatically determine hemoglobin or hematocrit and include this value in the CBC. See also differential white blood cell count, erythrocyte, hematocrit, hemoglobin, leukocyte.
