Platelets

 Come from mature megakaryocytes

 Anucleated

 Triggers primary hemostasis especially in exposed in endothelial lining, subendothelium, and presence of plasma
procoagulants in the blood vessels.

 Characteristics:

DIAMETER: 2-5 um and commonly mistaken as debris

MEAN PLATELET VOLUME (MPV): 8-10 fL

SHAPE: disc-shaped or circular that appears lavander and granular under wright’s stain.

 Normal values:

(Under OIO): 7-21 platelets/10fields

(Metric): 150-400 x109/L

(SI): 150-400 x103/ul

STRUCTURE OF PLATELET:

I. PERIPHERAL ZONE: Outermost layer

II. SOL-GEL ZONE

III. ORGANELLE ZONE: Centromere

IV. PLATELET MEMBRANE SYSTEM