Blood cell

A cellular component of blood, including oxygen-carrying red blood cells, immune-system white blood cells, and clot-forming platelets.

Hematopoietic stem cell: A bone-marrow stem cell capable of producing all blood cell lineages. It is the common ancestor from which red cells, white cells, and platelets develop.
Hematopoiesis: The production and development of blood cells from stem and progenitor cells. It explains how the different blood-cell lineages are continually supplied.
Complete blood count: A blood test that measures red cells, white cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and related indices. It quantifies the main cellular components and can reveal abnormal counts.
Endothelial cell: A cell that forms the inner lining of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Endothelial cells border circulating blood but belong to vessel walls, not blood.
Erythrocyte: A red blood cell specialized to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. Erythrocytes are the most abundant blood cells and carry respiratory gases.
Erythropoiesis: The production of red blood cells, primarily in bone marrow. This pathway replaces erythrocytes as they age and are removed.
Peripheral blood smear: A stained blood film examined under a microscope to assess cell appearance. Its cell shapes and maturation patterns can expose abnormalities hidden by counts.
Epithelial cell: A cell that forms sheets covering body surfaces and lining organs and cavities. Epithelial cells are tissue components rather than cellular contents of circulating blood.
Leukocyte: A white blood cell that helps defend the body against infection and other threats. Leukocytes are the blood-cell branch devoted chiefly to immune defense.
Leukopoiesis: The production of white blood cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells. This process generates the varied leukocytes that patrol blood and tissues.

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PlasmapheresisRelated: Most plasmapheresis methods return these cellular components to the circulation.