Platelets

Introduction Blood platelets, or thrombocytes, are cells in the blood that play an important role in blood clotting, i.e. stopping bleeding. Along with red blood cells and immune cells (leukocytes), they are one of the main components of the blood. The technical term thrombocyte for blood platelets is derived from the Greek von thrombos for … Platelets

Blood platelet count too high | Platelets

Blood platelet count too high If the platelets in the blood are elevated (>500. 000/μl), this is called thrombocytosis. These can be either primary (congenital, genetic) or secondary (acquired, caused by another disease). Secondary thrombocytosis is usually caused by infections, chronic inflammatory diseases, tissue injuries or certain forms of anaemia. Infections in which elevated platelet … Blood platelet count too high | Platelets

Platelet aggregation | Blood platelets (thrombocytes)

Platelet aggregation When a vessel is injured, the platelets come into contact with the connective tissue, which normally has no contact with the blood. A coagulation factor, the so-called von Willebrand factor (vWF), can now attach itself to this tissue from the blood. The thrombocyte has special receptors for this factor (vWR) and binds to … Platelet aggregation | Blood platelets (thrombocytes)

Platelet donation | Blood platelets (thrombocytes)

Platelet donation In case of injuries or operations where large blood losses occur or in case of people who cannot produce enough platelets due to their disease(s), it may be necessary to administer platelets from other people, as they cannot be produced artificially. Nowadays this is done in the form of platelet concentrates. The donation … Platelet donation | Blood platelets (thrombocytes)

White blood cells

The blood consists of a liquid part, the blood plasma, and solid parts, the blood cells. There are three large groups of cells in the blood: each of them has specific characteristics and fulfils very important tasks for our body and our survival. Leukocytes have an essential function in the human body’s immune defense, with … White blood cells