What is a drop of blood that is spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination called?

A drop of blood that is spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination is referred to as a blood smear. This technique involves placing a small amount of blood on a glass microscope slide and then using another slide to spread the drop evenly across the surface.

This method is critical for examining the morphology of blood cells, allowing healthcare professionals to assess for various conditions, such as infections, anemias, and other hematological disorders. The thickness and spread of the blood smear affect the visibility of the cells under the microscope, making it an essential skill in laboratory practice.

While "blood culture," "blood test," and "blood analysis" pertain to other methodologies for investigating blood samples, they involve different processes. A blood culture primarily focuses on detecting pathogens, while a blood test and blood analysis generally refer to a variety of assays to evaluate different components of blood.