Different Parts of Blood and Fractures: A Comprehensive Overview

Task 2
Blood
2.1 different parts of blood
Blood is a connective tissue in the body with several parts (Rodak & Carr, 2015). It
functions to provide communication between cells and their environment. It makes up 7 % of the
body weight and is always in motion in the body (Kim, Susan, Scott, & Heddwen, 2010). Blood
is composed of the fluid component which is a straw-colored fluid called plasma and a cellular
component with several cells suspended in plasma (Waugh & Grant, 2014). 55% of blood is
plasma while the rest of the cells make up 45%.
Plasma is made up of 90% water while the rest includes:
 Plasma proteins such as albumin, clotting factors, globulins, and fibrinogen.
 Salts and electrolytes such as sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium,
magnesium, iron, phosphate, iodine, cobalt among others.
 Digested food nutrients including glucose and other monosaccharides, amino acids, fatty
acids, and vitamins.
 Waste material such as urea and creatinine.
 Enzymes and hormones being transported to target organs.
 Dissolved gases including carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.
The cellular component is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

2.2 Differences between red blood cells and white blood cells
Red blood cells are disc-shaped biconcave non-nucleated cells that function in to carry
oxygen around the body to the tissues. They contain hemoglobin molecules in a matrix of protein
chains. The erythrocytes are small measuring about 7 microns in diameter and are flexible to be
able to squeeze through the tiniest capillaries (Waugh & Grant, 2014).
White blood cells, on the other hand, are the immune cells of the body. They are
nucleated, large in size and some contain granules in their cytoplasm (Waugh & Grant, 2014).
Those containing granules are termed granulocytes or polymorphonuclear lymphocytes and
include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Those without are termed agranulocytes ad
include monocytes and lymphocytes. Their main function is immunity against microbes and
other invading organisms and foreign bodies (Rodak & Carr, 2015).
2.3 Lifecycle of a red blood cell
They are formed in the bone marrow through erythropoiesis whereby a progenitor cell is
induced to differentiate into a red cell with influence from erythropoietin. Erythropoiesis takes
about 7 days. During this process, the red cell reduces in size and loses its nucleus (Haase, 2013).
On maturation, the red blood cell enters circulation where the lifespan in circulation is 120 days.
Their destruction is done by the reticuloendothelial system mainly the spleen, bone marrow, and
the liver. Aging red cells are more susceptible to hemolysis. However, the released end products
are recycled except bilirubin which is excreted in bile. Iron released is retained to form more
hemoglobin (Waugh & Grant, 2014).

Fractures
2.4 Greenstick fractures and compound fractures
A greenstick fracture is a fracture pattern seen in children who still have softer bones.
The pattern of fracture involves a cortical break on one side and a bend on the other, resembling
the pattern seen when trying to break a fresh green stick (Solomon, Warwick, & Nayagam, 2010).
These fractures are generally not as serious and treatment involves immobilization of the limb in
a cast, analgesics for pain and reassuring the patient. The fractures heal faster and remodeling
occurs straightening the bone (Solomon, Warwick, & Nayagam, 2010). A greenstick fracture will
heal by primary intention due to the mobilization of osteoblasts at the contact points (Solomon,
Warwick, & Nayagam, 2010)
A compound or open fracture is a fracture with an open wound exposing the bone to the
external environment (Solomon, Warwick, & Nayagam, 2010). This fracture is deemed dirty due to
contamination of the wound. The force required to produce this fracture may be from outside
such in high energy trauma or inside as in penetration of the bone through soft tissues to the
outside. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary team. There is an initial assessment using ABCD
to rule out any major associated injuries that could lead to the loss of life. The fracture site is
debrided and the fracture reduced using an external fixator as the patient is stabilized before any
definitive management is done. the antibiotic cover is an important aspect due to the
development of sepsis and wound contamination. After the wound cover is sufficient, internal
fixation through surgery is the definitive treatment of choice (Solomon, Warwick, & Nayagam,
2010). The compound fracture usually heals by secondary intention which I healing by callus
formation. This is by laying of new bone by the periosteum (Solomon, Warwick, & Nayagam, 2010).