What is the function of the blood platelets?

The principal function of platelets is to prevent bleeding. Red blood cells are the most numerous blood cell, about 5,000,000 per microliter. Red blood cells make up about 40% of our total blood volume, a measure called the hematocrit. read more

The function of platelets is to repair small blood vessels and prevent dangerous amounts of blood from leaking out. When a person is cut, platelets rush to the area and cling to the blood vessels that have been damaged, sealing them. read more

A healthy individual has somewhere between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. There can be serious health implications for those who fall outside of this normal range. Too many platelets in the blood is called thrombocytosis. Too few platelets is known as thrombocytopenia. read more

Gain an understanding of what a platelet or thrombocyte is, including its function in the body and what a platelet count means on a blood test. read more