Blood:

Blood is a constantly circulating fluid providing the body with nutrition, oxygen, and waste removal.
Blood is mostly liquid, with numerous cells and proteins suspended in it, making blood "thicker" than
pure water. The average person has about 5 liters (more than a gallon) of blood.

A liquid called plasma makes up about half of the content of blood. Plasma contains proteins that help
blood to clot, transport substances through the blood, and perform other functions. Blood plasma also
contains glucose and other dissolved nutrients.

About half of blood volume is composed of blood cells:

• Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues

• White blood cells, which fight infections
• Platelets, smaller cells that help blood to clot

Leukocytes or White Blood Cells (WBC):

There are five different types of leukocytes which fall into two main groups, either Granuolcytes
or Agranulocytes. Changes in the leukocytes can indicate that a specific type of condition or
disease is beginning or is present.

Granulocytes:
Neutrophils - which make up 60-70% of WBCs
Eosinophils - which make up 4-6% of WBCs
Basophils – which make up 1% of WBCs

Agranulocytes:
Lymphocytes - which make up 20-25% of WBCs
Monocytes - which make up 3-8% of WBCs

Erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs):

The primary function of the erythocytes is to carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues, and
pick up carbon dioxide from the tissues and offload it in the lungs. The key to differentiating
anemia types is understanding erythrocytes. When you read or hear “iron-deficiency
anemia”, this means not having enough iron or ‘heme’ in the RBCs.

Plasma:
Plasma is the fluid component of the blood in which blood cells are suspended. Plasma contains
glucose and other nutrients.

Thrombocytes or Platlets:
The platelets originate from cells known as megakaryocytes, which are found in the bone
marrow.
Platelets help prevent fluid loss by initiating the blood to clot. The condition of
thrombocytopenia is having an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood.

Bone Marrow:
Bone marrow is a soft, fatty, vascular tissue filling the cavities of bones, (long bones) having a
stroma of reticular fibers and cells. The marrow contains blood-forming (hematopoietic)
cells, megakaryocytes, fat cells, fluid, fibrous tissue and blood vessels. Leukemia is a type of
neoplastic disease that is in the bone marrow.

Spleen:
The spleen acts as a primary blood filter. The spleen also plays important roles in regard to
erythrocytes and the immune system.
Blood Cells produce Myeloid and Lymphatic Tissue:

The myeloid and lymphatic tissue helps the body’s immune system to protect it from bacteria
and other foreign entities. The lymphatic system contains large numbers of lymphocyte cells.

 Blood is conducted through blood vessels (arteries and veins). Blood is prevented from clotting
in the blood vessels by their smoothness, and the finely tuned balance of clotting factors.
 Hemorrhage (bleeding): Blood leaking out of blood vessels may be obvious, as from a
wound penetrating the skin. Internal bleeding (such as into the intestines, or after a car
accident) may not be immediately apparent.
 Hematoma: A collection of blood inside the body tissues. Internal bleeding often causes
a hematoma.
 Leukemia: A form of blood cancer, in which white blood cells multiply abnormally and
circulate through the blood. The excessive large numbers of white cells deposit in the
body's tissues, causing damage.
 Multiple myeloma: A form of blood cancer of plasma cells similar to leukemia. Anemia,
kidney failure and high blood calcium levels are common in multiple myeloma.
 Lymphoma: A form of blood cancer, in which white blood cells multiply abnormally
inside lymph nodes and other tissues. The enlarging tissues, and disruption of blood's
functions, can eventually cause organ failure.
 Anemia: An abnormally low number of red blood cells in the blood. Fatigue and
breathlessness can result, although anemia often causes no noticeable symptoms.
 Hemolytic anemia: Anemia caused by rapid bursting of large numbers of red blood cells
(hemolysis). An immune system malfunction is one cause.
 Hemochromatosis: A disorder causing excessive levels of iron in the blood. The iron
deposits in the liver, pancreas and other organs, causing liver problems and diabetes.
 Sickle cell disease: A genetic condition in which red blood cells periodically lose their
proper shape (appearing like sickles, rather than discs). The deformed blood cells
deposit in tissues, causing pain and organ damage.
 Bacteremia: Bacterial infection of the blood. Blood infections are serious, and often
require hospitalization and continuous antibiotic infusion into the veins.
 Malaria: Infection of red blood cells by Plasmodium, a parasite transmitted by
mosquitos. Malaria causes episodic fevers, chills, and potentially organ damage.
 Thrombocytopenia: Abnormally low numbers of platelets in the blood. Severe
thrombocytopenia may lead to bleeding.
 Leukopenia: Abnormally low numbers of white blood cells in the blood. Leukopenia can
result in difficulty fighting infections.
 Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): An uncontrolled process of simultaneous
bleeding and clotting in very small blood vessels. DIC usually results from severe
infections or cancer.
 Hemophilia: An inherited (genetic) deficiency of certain blood clotting proteins.
Frequent or uncontrolled bleeding can result from hemophilia.
 Hypercoaguable state: Numerous conditions can result in the blood being prone to
clotting. A heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in the legs or lungs can result.
 Polycythemia: Abnormally high numbers of red blood cells in the blood. Polycythemia
can result from low blood oxygen levels, or may occur as a cancer-like condition.
 Deep venous thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVTs are
dangerous because they may become dislodged and travel to the lungs, causing a
pulmonary embolism (PE).
 Myocardial infarction (MI): Commonly called a heart attack, a myocardial infarction
occurs when a sudden blood clot develops in one of the coronary arteries, which supply
blood to the heart.
 Complete blood count: An analysis of the concentration of red blood cells, white blood
cells, and platelets in the blood. Automated cell counters perform this test.

 Blood smear: Drops of blood are smeared across a microscope slide, to be examined by
an expert in a lab. Leukemia, anemia, malaria, and numerous other blood conditions can
be identified with a blood smear.
 Blood type: A test for compatibility before receiving a blood transfusion. The major
blood types (A, B, AB, and O) are determined by the protein markers (antigens) present
on the surface of red blood cells.
 Coombs test: A blood test looking for antibodies that could bind to and destroy red
blood cells. Pregnant women and people with anemia may undergo Coombs testing.
 Blood culture: A blood test looking for infection present in the bloodstream. If bacteria
or other organisms are present, they may multiply in the tested blood, allowing their
identification.
 Mixing study: A blood test to identify the reason for blood being "too thin" (abnormally
resistant to clotting). The patient's blood is mixed in a tube with normal blood, and the
mixed blood's properties may provide a diagnosis.
 Bone marrow biopsy: A thick needle is inserted into a large bone (usually in the hip), and
bone marrow is drawn out for tests. Bone marrow biopsy can identify blood conditions
that simple blood tests cannot.
Blood Treatments:
 Chemotherapy: Medicines that kill cancer cells. Leukemias and lymphomas are usually
treated with chemotherapy.
 Blood transfusion: A blood donor's red blood cells are separated from their plasma and
packed into a small bag. Transfusing the concentrated red blood cells into a recipient
replaces blood loss.
 Platelet transfusion: A blood donor's platelets are separated from the rest of blood and
concentrated into a plastic bag. Platelet transfusion is generally only performed when
platelet counts fall to very low levels.
 Fresh frozen plasma: A blood donor's plasma (liquid blood) is separated from the blood
cells, and frozen for storage. Plasma transfusion can improve blood clotting and prevent
or stop bleeding that's due to clotting problems.
 Cryoprecipitate: Specific proteins are separated from blood and frozen in a small volume
of liquid. Cryoprecipitate transfusion can replace specific blood clotting proteins when
their levels are low, such as in people with hemophilia.
 Anticoagulation: Medicines to "thin" the blood and prevent clotting in people at high
risk from blood clots. Heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox) and warfarin (Coumadin) are the
medicines most often used.
 Antiplatelet drugs: Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) interfere with platelet function and
help prevent blood clots, including those that cause heart attacks and strokes.
 Antibiotics: Medicines to kill bacteria and parasites can treat blood infections caused by
these organisms.
 Erythropoietin: A hormone produced by the kidney that stimulates red blood cell
production. A manufactured form of erythropoietin can be given to improve the
symptoms of anemia.
 Bloodletting: In people with problems caused by too much blood (such as from
hemochromatosis or polycythemia), occasional controlled removal of blood may be
necessary.