Hematopoietic tissue

The specialized tissue responsible for the production of blood cells and the maintenance of the body's immune system.

Hematopoietic tissue is a type of tissue found primarily in the bone marrow and lymphatic system that gives rise to blood cells. This tissue contains stem cells capable of differentiating into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, each serving critical roles in the body's circulatory and immune systems.

Terminologia Anatomica

tissue-hematopoieticum

System

Circulatory system

Function

The primary function of hematopoietic tissue is to produce and regulate blood cells, which are vital for sustaining life. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and return carbon dioxide for removal; they contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen. White blood cells, or leukocytes, are essential for the immune response, defending the body against infections and foreign invaders. Platelets, or thrombocytes, play a significant role in blood clotting, preventing excessive bleeding in case of injury. This tissue not only maintains the proper balance of these cells but also responds dynamically to the body's needs, such as increasing white blood cell production during an infection. Additionally, hematopoietic tissue secretes various growth factors and cytokines that influence the proliferation and differentiation of blood cell precursors, thus playing a crucial role in overall homeostasis.

Location

Hematopoietic tissue is primarily located in the bone marrow, which occupies the medullary cavities of long bones and is found in flat bones such as the sternum, pelvis, and skull. In infants and young children, hematopoietic activity is widespread throughout the skeleton, but as a person ages, this activity gradually diminishes in peripheral sites and becomes concentrated in the pelvic bones and sternum. Additionally, lymphoid organs such as the spleen and thymus also host specialized populations of hematopoietic cells, contributing to the development and maturation of certain types of white blood cells and playing a role in the immune response.

Did You Know?

Hematopoietic stem cells have the unique ability to self-renew, meaning they can replicate themselves indefinitely while also generating other specialized blood cells.
The process of blood cell formation from hematopoietic tissue is known as hematopoiesis, which occurs continuously throughout a person's life to maintain healthy blood levels.
Certain disorders, such as leukemia, arise when hematopoietic tissue produces abnormal cells, leading to severe consequences for the body's health.