In a normal peripheral blood film, neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells, comprising about 50-70% of the total leukocyte count. They play a critical role in the body's first line of defense against infections by performing phagocytosis of pathogens. Their high numbers reflect their importance in acute inflammatory responses and rapid immune activity. Eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes are present in significantly lower proportions, serving more specialized immune functions. Understanding the predominance of neutrophils aids in clinical interpretation of blood tests and in diagnosing infections or inflammatory conditions.

Reference: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice, Hoffman R et al., 7th Edition.