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Bone marrow - Glossary Entry

Synonym(s)

  • medulla ossea

Definition(s)

The soft tissue filling the cavities of bones. Bone marrow exists in two types, yellow and red. Yellow marrow is found in the large cavities of large bones and consists mostly of fat cells and a few primitive blood cells. Red marrow is a hematopoietic tissue and is the site of production of erythrocytes and granular leukocytes. Bone marrow is made up of a framework of connective tissue containing branching fibers with the frame being filled with marrow cells.

Definition from: Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. (MeSH)   at the National Library of Medicine

The soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of bones that produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Definition from: Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. (Physician Data Query)   at the National Library of Medicine

Related discussion in the Handbook

 
Published: October 22, 2004

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