Scribd
Upload
3 views16 pages

Blood 6

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small cell fragments crucial for hemostasis, with a lifespan of 8-11 days and produced in the bone marrow. They adhere to damaged blood vessels, aggregate to form a platelet plug, and activate the clotting system to prevent blood loss. Variations in platelet counts can indicate conditions like thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia, affecting their function and overall hemostatic ability.

Uploaded by

phoenix fenghuang
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views16 pages

Blood 6

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small cell fragments crucial for hemostasis, with a lifespan of 8-11 days and produced in the bone marrow. They adhere to damaged blood vessels, aggregate to form a platelet plug, and activate the clotting system to prevent blood loss. Variations in platelet counts can indicate conditions like thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia, affecting their function and overall hemostatic ability.

Uploaded by

phoenix fenghuang
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Blood

Platelets and Hemostasis


Platelets

● Thrombocytes
● Size : 2.5 microns
● Various shapes - round, rod shaped, oval etc
● Structure: Cell membrane, cytoplasm, microtubules
● Cell membrane has receptors for attachment to endothelium
of blood vessels
● Cytoplasm : contractile proteins (actin, myosin,
thrombosthenin); von Willebrand’s factor (platelet
adhesion), PAF - platelet activating factor, granules,
glycogen
● Life span : 8-11 days; destroyed in spleen
What do platelets do?

● Hemostasis (prevention of blood loss)


● Secrete serotonin when blood vessel is damaged → constriction
of blood vessel
● Platelets then stick to the exposed sub-endothelial layer of
the blood vessel (adhesion)
● Platelets activate other platelets and they all stick to each
other (platelet aggregation) to form a structure called a
“platelet plug” which seals the wound
● Also activate the clotting system by secreting phospholipids
● Repair of damaged blood vessel by secretion of platelet
derived growth factor
Platelet formation

● Bone marrow
● HPSC → CFU-M → Megakaryocyte → Platelets
● Released into blood
● Production depends on colony stimulating factors secreted
by monocytes and T lymphocytes
● Also Thrombopoietin secreted by liver and kidneys
Variations in platelet numbers

● Normal platelet count : 2,00,000 - 4,00,000 /cu mm


● Increase - thrombocytosis
● May occur in some allergies, after splenectomy, cancer
● Decrease - thrombocytopenia
● May occur in bone marrow aplasia, viral infections
(dengue), autoimmune diseases
● Platelet function abnormality → thrombasthenia
Hemostasis
Stopping of bleeding
Steps

1. Vasoconstriction - contraction of the blood vessels ;


decreases blood loss; damage to endothelium causes
platelets to stick to subendothelial collagen (adhesion);
platelets release serotonin causing vasoconstriction
2. Platelet plug - platelets release PAF, attract more
platelets and they all stick together (aggregation)
forming a soft mass (plug) that stops bleeding
3. Coagulation - tissue and platelet factors trigger the
coagulation cascade and a stable clot is formed

You might also like