BLOOD AND HEMATOPOIESIS

Blood is a vital connective tissue that supports nearly every physiological process in the human body. It functions as a transport medium, a regulator of homeostasis, and a major component of immune defense and hemostasis. Hematopoiesis, the process of blood cell formation, ensures a continuous and balanced supply of functional blood cells throughout life. This chapter presents an extensively expanded and detailed discussion of blood and hematopoiesis, including the composition and functions of blood cells, the mechanisms of hemostasis and coagulation, major hematological disorders such as anemias, clotting disorders, and leukemia, and the pharmacology of anticoagulants and hematinics. Special emphasis is placed on clinical correlations, laboratory interpretation, and nursing implications, making this chapter suitable for medical, nursing, and allied health education.