Soft, sponge-like tissue in the centre of most bones. It contains stem cells that make all blood cells.
Related definitions
- polymerase chain reactionA sensitive laboratory test that makes millions of copies of specific DNA or RNA sequences from blood or bone marrow, allowing doctors to detect and monitor blood cancers and related genetic changes.
- plateletsAlso called thrombocytes. Platelets are tiny cell fragments that come from larger cells called megakaryocytes, found in the bone marrow. They circulate in the blood and are also in the spleen. Platelets help form blood clots (a process called coagulation) to stop or slow bleeding and support wound healing.
- next-generation sequencingAn advanced laboratory test that reads many genes at the same time from blood or bone marrow to find genetic changes that help diagnose, classify, and guide treatment of blood cancers.
- megakaryocytesLarge cells in the bone marrow that form platelets, which help your blood clot and stop bleeding.
- lymphatic systemThe lymphatic system is a network of vessels, tissues, and organs that helps fight infection and remove waste from the body. It includes lymph nodes, the spleen, thymus, and bone marrow, and carries a fluid called lymph that contains infection-fighting cells.
