Thrombocyte
Thrombocyte
Thrombocytes (pronounced: throm-bo-cytes, from the Greek words "thrombos" meaning clot, and "kytos" meaning cell) are also known as platelets. They are small, irregularly shaped clear cell fragments, 2–3 µm in diameter, which are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocyte cells.
Thrombocytes are a crucial component of the hemostasis process, helping to prevent bleeding by clumping and clotting blood vessel injuries. They have no cell nucleus, and their lifespan typically ranges from 5 to 9 days.
Function
Thrombocytes play a key role in hemostasis, the process of stopping bleeding at the site of interrupted endothelium. They gather at the site and, unless the disruption is physically too large, they plug the hole. First, platelets adhere to substances outside the interrupted endothelium: adhesion. Second, they change shape, turn on receptors and secrete chemical messengers: activation. Third, they connect to each other through receptor bridges: aggregation.
Disorders
Disorders of thrombocytes can be either a decrease in number (thrombocytopenia) or an increase in number (thrombocytosis). These disorders can lead to an increased risk of bleeding, bruising, or thrombosis, which is the formation of blood clots.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Thrombocyte
- Wikipedia's article - Thrombocyte
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