TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Blood Disorders A1 - Davoren, J. Ben A1 - Wang, Sunny A2 - Hammer, Gary D. A2 - McPhee, Stephen J. PY - 2013 T2 - Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine, 7e AB - Blood is an extremely complex fluid, composed of both formed elements (red cells, white cells, platelets) and plasma. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are the most common formed elements, carrying oxygen to the cells of the body via their main component, hemoglobin. White blood cells are generally present at about 1/700th the number of erythrocytes and function as mediators of immune responses to infection or other stimuli of inflammation. Platelets are the formed elements that participate in coagulation. Plasma is largely water, electrolytes, and plasma proteins. The plasma proteins most important in blood clotting are the coagulation factors. Because blood circulates throughout the body, alterations in normal blood physiology—either formed elements or plasma proteins—may have widespread adverse consequences. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1100858295 ER -