The Visible Human: Transverse Section Through the Thigh

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The whitish area in the middle of the femur contains the bone marrow (a favorite in French soups!). Blood cells develop in this area. These cells include erythrocytes - red blood cells, immune cells such as macrophages, and lymphocytes, and platelets. Platelets are small pieces of larger cells called megakaryocytes (mega=big; karyon=nucleus; cyte=cell). As their name implies, these cells are very large and have a big nucleus. As the cells develop they shed pieces of membrane that enter the circulation as platelets. The platelets help seal broken blood vessels, forming clots when you get a cut.

Key points in this image
adductor magnus | gracilis | sartorius | rectus femoris | hamstring | vastus lateralis | vastus medialis | vastus intermedius |
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Information
Module Name: a_vm2035
Module Title: The Visible Human: Transverse Section Through the Thigh
Image Info: Transverse section through the leg (#2035), Visible Human Project
Created by: Lynn Bry
Contact Email:bryl@medicine.wustl.edu
Last modified: January 16th, 1997
Created with Annotation 1.0