What is the Full Name of Platelets?
The full name of platelets is thrombocytes.
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are tiny, colorless cell fragments found in your blood. Their primary function is crucial for blood clotting. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets rush to the site, clumping together to form a plug that initially stops bleeding. This is the first step in the complex process of blood clot formation. [See references below for more detailed information.]
- Formation: Thrombocytes are produced in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside your bones.
- Function: Their main role is hemostasis – stopping bleeding.
- Clinical Significance: Platelet counts are routinely checked as part of a complete blood count (CBC) to detect potential bleeding or clotting disorders. Abnormal platelet counts can indicate various health issues.
References
- Multiple sources including the American Red Cross (https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/platelet-information.html), University of Rochester Medical Center (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&ContentID=36), Johns Hopkins Medicine (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/what-are-platelets-and-why-are-they-important), MedlinePlus (https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/platelet-tests/), Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22879-platelets), Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platelet), Testing.com (https://www.testing.com/tests/platelet-count/), Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complete-blood-count/about/pac-20384919), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/thrombotic-thrombocytopenic-purpura), and others confirm that platelets are also known as thrombocytes. A source from OUHSC further explains the etymology of the term: "This name describes the platelets as the cells (“cytes” is a word for cell) that contribute to thrombosis, or blood clotting." (https://ouhsc.edu/platelets/platelets/platelets%20intro.html)