Site Of Haemopoiesis - pediagenosis
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Thursday, September 13, 2018

Site Of Haemopoiesis


Site Of Haemopoiesis
In the first few weeks of gestation the yolk sac is a transient site of haemopoiesis. However, definitive haemopoiesis derives from a population of stem cells first observed on the AGM (aorta‐gonads‐mesonephros) region. These common precursors of endothelial and haemopoietic cells (haemangioblasts) are believed to seed the liver, spleen and bone marrow. From 6 weeks until 6–7 months of fetal life, the liver and spleen are the major haemopoietic organs and continue to produce blood cells until about 2 weeks after birth (Table 1.1; see Fig. 7.1b).


The placenta also contributes to fetal haemopoiesis. The bone marrow is the most important site from 6–7 months of fetal life. During normal childhood and adult life the marrow is the only source of new blood cells. The developing cells are situated outside the bone marrow sinuses; mature cells are released into the sinus spaces, the marrow microcirculation and so into the general circulation.

In infancy all the bone marrow is haemopoietic but during childhood there is progressive fatty replacement of marrow throughout the long bones so that in adult life haemopoietic marrow is confined to the central skeleton and proximal ends of the femurs and humeri (Table 1.1). Even in these haemopoietic areas, approximately 50% of the marrow consists of fat (Fig. 1.1). The remaining fatty marrow is capable of reversion to haemopoiesis and in many diseases there is also expansion of haemopoiesis down the long bones. Moreover, the liver and spleen can resume their fetal haemopoietic role (‘extramedullary haemopoiesis’).


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