PHYSICAL WELLNESS

your body’s emergency plugs

platelets

Platelets (also called thrombocytes) are tiny, disc-shaped cell fragments that act as your body’s rapid-response team when bleeding occurs. They rush to the site of an injury, stick together, and form a plug to stop blood loss.

  • Detect blood vessel damage and stick to the site

  • Clump together to form a temporary plug

  • Release signals that activate clotting factors in plasma

  • Work with proteins to form a stable clot (scab)

  • Help repair and heal damaged tissues

BLOOD PLATELET BASICS

Common Terms + Simple Definitions

Here’s a mini glossary for blood platelet-related words you’ll see throughout the site:

Platelets (Thrombocytes) - Small blood fragments that help stop bleeding

Clot - A plug formed by platelets + proteins to stop blood loss

Fibrin - A sticky protein “mesh” that strengthens clots

Megakaryocytes - Large bone marrow cells that release platelets

Hemostasis - The process of stopping bleeding with clots

WHAT PLATELETS WORK WITH

BLOOD PLATELETS + OTHER SYSTEMS

  1. Plasma → Provides clotting factors that platelets activate

  2. White Blood Cells → Team up to fight infection at injury sites

  3. Blood Vessels → Platelets detect vessel damage and respond

  4. Proteins (like fibrin) → Create a mesh that stabilizes the platelet plug

  5. Bone Marrow → Produces platelets from large cells called megakaryocytes

HealthY BLOOD PLATELETS…

Balanced platelets mean your blood clots when it should — but not too much. Too few platelets can lead to easy bruising or bleeding, while too many can cause dangerous clots. Staying hydrated, eating nutrient-rich foods, and supporting circulation help maintain healthy platelet function.