Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Blood cells
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A blood cell (also called blood corpuscle) is any cell of any type normally found in blood. In mammals, these fall into three general categories:
Together, these three kinds of blood cells sum up for a total 45% of blood tissue (55% is plasma).
| cell type | Primary function | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| Red blood cells | transport of oxygen | 120 days |
| White blood cells | produces antibodies to fight infection | days to years |
| Platelets | blood clotting | 8 days |
Disorders
Disorders
A decrease in number of blood cells is called cytopenia. An increase, on the other hand, is called polycythemia.[1]
External links
External links
- What is Blood? from the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah.
- Cells of the blood
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]