The synonym for a smudge cell is a basket cell. These so called "smudge cells/basket cells" are mechanically distorted, fragile white cells usually a lymphocyte. We grade our smudge cells as a percentage of all white cells. (<10 occasional, 10-25 1+, 25-50 2+, 50-75 3+, >75 4+) The origin of the cell is unknown since the cytoplasm is unrecognizable. They are not to be confused with a "damaged white cell" which is an artifactual change seen in blood smears from lipemic specimens.