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platelet

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Platelets are tiny, colourless blood cells that help to stop bleeding. They are made in the bone marrow and are stored in the spleen.

When a blood vessel is cut, platelets stick to the edges of the cut and form a plug. This plug helps to stop the bleeding.

Platelets also release chemicals that help to clot the blood. Clotting is the process of turning liquid blood into a solid mass. This helps to seal the cut and prevent further bleeding.

Platelets are an important part of the blood clotting system. They help to keep us from bleeding to death when we get cut.

How can the word be used?

The patient's platelet count was low, so he was given a platelet transfusion.

platelet

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • platelet (a small, disk-shaped blood cell that helps to stop bleeding).
  • platelets (plural of platelet).

Adjective:

  • platelet (of or relating to platelets).

Etymology

The word "platelet" comes from the Greek word "plakous", which means "flat cake".

The word "platelet" was first used in English in the 19th century. It was used to refer to the small, disk-shaped blood cells that help to stop bleeding.

The root of the word "platelet" is the Greek word "plako", which means "to make flat".

So, the word "platelet" literally means "flat cake". This is a reference to the fact that platelets are small, disk-shaped cells.

Question

What do platelets do?