RT Book, Section A1 Davoren, J. Ben A1 Hsu, Gerald A2 Hammer, Gary D. A2 McPhee, Stephen J. SR Print(0) ID 1158875156 T1 Blood Disorders T2 Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine, 8e YR 2019 FD 2019 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781260026504 LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1158875156 RD 2024/10/13 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.