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Platelet cytology

Authoring team

Platelets are disc-shaped and approximately 1-2 micrometres in diameter. Usually forming clumps of platelets, they stain pale blue with Romanowsky stains in blood smears.

Ultra-structurally, they have a very active cytoskeleton. Microfilaments participate in clot retraction while microtubules regulate the overall shape. Mitochondria are evident within the cytoplasm. They are bounded by a mucopolysaccharide outer membrane.

There are two types of granule: lysosomal alpha granules and dense granules. They contain substances vital to function e.g. :

  • dense granules:
    • ADP
    • ATP
    • serotonin, 5HT
  • lysosomal granules:
    • von Willebrand factor
    • platelet-derived growth factor
    • platelet activating factor
    • factor V
    • fibrinogen
    • platelet factor 4

Reference

  1. Montague SJ, Lim YJ, Lee WM, Gardiner EE. Imaging Platelet Processes and Function-Current and Emerging Approaches for Imaging in vitro and in vivo. Front Immunol. 2020;11:78

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