How is the white blood cell count typically reported?

The white blood cell count is typically reported as cells per microliter because this measurement provides a standardized way to quantify the number of white blood cells in a specific volume of blood, which is critical for evaluating an individual's immune response and health status.

The use of microliter is particularly appropriate in laboratory settings, as it aligns with the volumes of blood samples commonly tested. Blood components are often analyzed at the microliter scale, making this unit practical for both laboratory technicians and clinicians.

Other units, such as cells per milliliter or cells per liter, may be used in some contexts but are less standard in clinical practice for reporting white blood cell counts. Reporting as a percent of total blood volume would not accurately reflect the concentration of white blood cells in the sample, which is crucial for diagnosing various conditions. Therefore, the choice of cells per microliter effectively communicates the necessary information about white blood cell concentration in a manner that is both precise and widely accepted in medical practice.