 Hey everybody, Dr. O here, in this video we're going to talk about platelets. So remember I told you earlier platelets are not cells, that's why they're called formed elements, but they do come from a cell. So let's go ahead and look at their production. So myeloid stem cells are going to produce what's called a megakaryoblast that becomes a megakaryocyte. Now this cell never leaves the bone marrow, but what it does is it produces thousands of what are known as platelet precursor extensions, and as these little extensions, these cell fragments pinch off, that's what your platelets are. So a single megakaryocyte can produce 2,000 to 3,000 platelets. At any time you should have between 150,000 and 160,000 platelets per microliter of blood. They only live about 10 days or so, then they're going to be broken down and new ones are going to be produced. But what is their function? Their function is hemostasis. They play a major role in the cessation or stopping of bleeding. So we'll cover the blood clotting cascade in a separate video, but platelets form what's called a temporary platelet plug. Their job is to be sticky and they stick to one another and they stick to connective tissue and that's what forms these plugs that are going to stop bleeding through a hole, right? So that's going to be, that's the key function of platelets. Now we are learning more and more about platelets like everything else in anatomy. They do also seem to release growth factors that play a role in the growth of different body tissues, especially connective tissue. So maybe you've heard of like these activated platelet therapies, these different platelet therapies that professional athletes are getting. I believe some professional golfers, professional basketball players have used them to try to help with their knees and their backs and those kind of things. It does appear that platelets somehow do stimulate healing. So I don't know a whole lot about that. We'll see over the coming years. But just kind of interesting that they probably do more than just stick together and form this platelet plug that helps with blood clotting and the cessation of bleeding or hemostasis. All right. That's your platelets. I hope this helps. Have a wonderful day. Be blessed.