Knowra Bone marrow cells Bone marrow cells Bone marrow cells inhabit the tissue inside bones and include blood-forming stem cells, developing blood cells, immune cells, and supportive stromal cells.
Hematopoietic stem cell : A self-renewing stem cell that generates all blood cell lineages. These cells are the source of the marrow’s developing blood cells.
Hematopoietic stem cell niche : A specialized local environment that regulates hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and activity. Marrow cells and structures form niches that control stem-cell behavior.
Bone marrow biopsy : A procedure that removes a small core of bone marrow for examination. The biopsy shows marrow-cell composition and tissue architecture.
Lymph node : A small immune organ that filters lymph and provides sites for immune-cell activation. Unlike marrow, lymph nodes primarily organize immune responses rather than produce most blood cells.
Hematopoiesis : The formation and development of blood cells from stem and progenitor cells. It describes the production process carried out by marrow’s blood-forming cells.
Cytokine : A small signaling protein that influences cell survival, growth, differentiation, or activity. Cytokines direct the growth and maturation of marrow blood-cell populations.
Bone marrow aspiration : A procedure that withdraws liquid marrow for microscopic and laboratory testing. Aspirated cells can be counted, classified, and tested for abnormalities.
Spleen : An organ that filters blood, removes aged blood cells, and supports immune responses. The spleen can form blood cells in some diseases, but marrow is the usual adult site.
Mesenchymal stem cell : A multipotent stromal cell that can produce bone, cartilage, and fat cells. Marrow stromal cells include progenitors that help build its structural environment.
Colony-stimulating factor : A cytokine that promotes the survival, proliferation, or differentiation of particular blood-cell precursors. These signals drive production of selected marrow-derived blood lineages.
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