Splenius Cervicis Muscle
Blood Cells & Formed Elements of the Blood
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Introduction to the Formed Elements of the Blood:
The formed elements are cells, cell remnants, and cell fragments in the blood. Red Blood Cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) make up more than 95% of the formed elements.
Because they lack a nucleus and organelles, most RBCs in the bloodstream are not fully functional cells. Instead, they serve as temporary, hemoglobin-filled containers that transport oxygen throughout the body.
Also included in the formed elements are five types of white blood cells (WBCs or leukocytes). They are part of the immune system and that helps protect the body from foreign invaders. The WBCs are identified and classified based on their stained appearance.
Three of the WBCs have cytoplasmic granules and are called granulocytes:
The remaining two types of WBCs do not have cytoplasmic granules and are classified as agranulocytes:
Learn to identify cells under the microscope with these histology quizzes and labelling exercises.
The smalled formed elements are called platelets (thrombocytes). These are actually cytoplasmic fragments that pinch from large cells called megakaryocytes. Phospholipids released from platelets help initiate the clotting process.