Abstract
Thrombocytes (blood platelets) are cytoplasmic fragments of the bone marrow megakaryocytes (cf. Fig. 175). After release into the blood, the thrombocytes circulate as small cellular disks measuring 3–4 μm in diameter, with a life span of about 10 days. Platelets have a pivotal role in hemostasis, where they are involved in several aspects including blood clot formation, clot retraction, and repair of the injured tissue. Platelets also continuously survey the endothelial lining of the blood vessels for possible breaks or damages, and are among the first cells to be recruited to sites of injuries.
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Pavelka, M., Roth, J. (2010). Thrombocytes. In: Functional Ultrastructure. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99390-3_181
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99390-3_181
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
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