Bone marrow is soft, spongy, gelatinous tissue that fills the centers of bones known as medullary cavities. Bone marrow is highly vascular meaning that it is enriched with blood vessels and capillaries. Each day bone marrow produces hundreds of billions of new blood cells. Bone marrow takes over from the liver as the major hematopoietic organ […]
Hematology
Aplastic Anemia – Classification, Treatment and Prognosis
Aplastic anemia is a rare hematological (blood) disorder in which the bone marrow is damaged resulting in failure to produce all the three major types of blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones that makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Read […]
What is a Capillary Blood Sample
A capillary blood sample is collected by pricking the skin. Capillaries are small vessels formed by branching of arterioles. Blood flows from the heart to arteries, which divide into arterioles, and then further divide into capillaries. After the tissue has been perfused, capillaries then unite to become venules and then widen more to become veins, […]
Blood Sample Handling and Processing
After taking a blood sample, the blood needs to be managed in a proper way so as to prepare it for investigations. Blood sample handling and processing can be summarized as below. Read more about Blood Sampling or Blood Collection Methods Read more about Phlebotomy- Indications, Procedure, and Complications Read more about Vacutainer ® and […]
Peripheral Blood Smear Procedure and Interpretation
Peripheral blood film or Peripheral blood smear or Peripheral smear examination forms an important and basic lab investigation for diagnosing a number of hematological (blood) disorders. With the advent of hematological automated machines, complete and highly accurate hematological data and parameters like complete blood count or CBC can be obtained within a few minutes. In […]
Acquired Hemophilia – Causes and Treatment
Acquired hemophilia is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by bleeding that occurs in patients with a personal and family history negative for hemorrhages. In acquired hemophilia, the body produces antibodies [also known as inhibitors] that attack clotting factors, most often factor VIII. The affected individuals develop complications associated with abnormal, uncontrolled bleeding into the muscles, […]
Hemophilia C: Presentation and Treatment
Hemophilia C refers to the deficiency of factor XI which results in bleeding tendencies. Hemophilia C is also known as plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA) deficiency or Rosenthal syndrome. It is a mild form of hemophilia affecting both sexes. It is predominantly known to occur in Jewish people of Ashkenazi descent. It is the fourth most […]
Hemophilia B – Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Hemophilia B is a disorder resulting in deficiency of functional plasma coagulation factor IX. It could be inherited as X-linked, recessive condition or occur following spontaneous mutation. Acquired immunologic processes can also result in this disorder. The incidence of hemophilia B is estimated to be approximately 1 case per 25,000-30,000 male births. Hemophilia B is […]
Hemophilia A: Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Hemophilia A is an X-linked, recessive disorder caused by deficiency of clotting factor VIII. It may be inherited or arise from spontaneous mutation. The development of inhibitory antibodies to factor VIII can result in acquired hemophilia A or can complicate the treatment of genetic cases. Depending on the level of factor VIII activity, patients with hemophilia may […]
Hemostasis Mechanism and Regulation
Hemostasis is a process that attempts to stop the bleeding and keep blood within a damaged blood vessel. Hemostasis involves three steps Vasoconstriction Temporary blockage of a break by a platelet plug Blood coagulation, or the formation of a fibrin clot that seals the hole until tissue repair. Blood coagulation and platelet-mediated hemostasis are the […]