How is Mean Cell Volume (MCV) calculated?

Mean Cell Volume (MCV) is a measure of the average volume of a red blood cell and is crucial for classifying and diagnosing different types of anemia and other blood disorders. The calculation of MCV specifically involves the hematocrit (Hct), which represents the proportion of blood that is made up of red blood cells, divided by the concentration of red blood cells (RBC) in the same volume, and then multiplied by 10 to convert the result into femtoliters.

The formula for MCV can be expressed as follows:

MCV = (Hct ÷ RBC) × 10.

Thus, MCV is directly derived from the ratio of the total volume of red blood cells to the number of red blood cells, reflecting the average size of each individual cell in the sample. This metric is essential in hematology for understanding and diagnosing conditions that affect red blood cell production and morphology. The choice that presents this formula accurately captures the definition and the significance of MCV in clinical practice.