Platelet
A platelet is the smallest type of blood cell. Platelets are the body's first defense against bleeding, helping the blood to clot (coagulate) by collecting at the site of a wound and clumping together to help stop the flow of blood.
People with very low levels of platelets or with bleeding disorders may need to have transfusions of platelets to prevent excessive bleeding.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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