CBC

[jehoshabeath]

Two weeks ago, a local phlebotomist took two tubes of my blood and delivered them to the lab for analysis. Once they arrived, I'm sure the blood cells had fun spinning in the centrifuge! Wheeee, Red Blood Cell loves spinning! Platelet is dizzy, though @_@

Comments

[lemur_cat]

Since you are learning so much about blood, I have a question.
Bruises are when the blood vessel breaks open without the skin being broken, right? Do platelets have anything to do with why bruises turn blue and yellow? Because I was explaining the word "bruise" to an English student and he was like, "oh yes! That is because of platelets!"

[jehoshabeath]

Bruises are when the blood vessel breaks open without the skin being broken, right?
Yes, that's right.

Do platelets have anything to do with why bruises turn blue and yellow?
Good question. I had to check Wikipedia on this. It seems that the colors of a bruise are caused by the red blood cells being absorbed and removed from the tissue area. The hemoglobin in the red blood cells causes the various colors as it's engulfed and transformed. The first stage is red/blue, next is green, then yellow, and finally golden brown. "Bruise" article, citation: Robbins Basic Pathology Platelets are involved in the process of patching up the damaged vessels, but I don't think they contribute to the color of the skin.

[lemur_cat]

Thanks! That's about what I'd expect from platelets. I think the guy probably mixed them up with red blood cells.