Platelets are small cells that circulate in the blood; They participate in the formation of blood clots and in the repair of damaged blood vessels.
When a blood vessel is injured, platelets stick to the damaged area and spread across the surface to stop bleeding (this process is known as adhesion). At the same time, the small sacs located inside the platelets and called granules release chemical signals (this process is called secretion). These chemicals attract other platelets to the site of injury and cause their clumping to form what is known as a platelet plug (this process is called aggregation).
The platelet is a concept that is derived from the plate. One of its most common uses is in the field of biology and it refers to a class of cells found in vertebrates and is very important during blood clotting.
These irregularly shaped cells lack a nucleus. Platelets are found in the bloodstream and are key in the development of blood clots that help stop bleeding. Each platelet, therefore, intervenes in the process known as hemostasis, which means that the blood does not leave the vessels that allow its circulation.
Platelets are generated in the bone marrow through thrombopoiesis. There is a hormone called thrombopoietin that is responsible for regulating this production. Once they are in the blood, platelets are stored in the spleen, although they are also destroyed by this same organ and by cells present in the liver.
The disorders of platelet function are conditions in which platelets do not work as, causing a tendency to bleed or bruise. Because the platelet plug does not form properly, bleeding may continue longer than normal.
Because platelets play many roles in blood clotting, platelet function disorders can lead to bleeding episodes of varying intensity.
Regeneration as a goal, once this process is completed, platelets can release a series of substances known as platelet growth factors that have the function of stimulating the cells of the injured tissue to form a new tissue thus repairing the injury, this process is takes place especially in blood vessels.
This regenerative capacity has led to the use of the platelet-rich plasma fraction in order to repair tissues affected by both the aging process and degenerative diseases, with quite favorable results.
