What Is Bone Marrow, and What Are Its Functions?

12 Jan What Is Bone Marrow, and What Are Its Functions?

Bone marrow is a spongy material inside bones that helps produce new blood cells. It’s an essential part of the body. We will discuss the function of bone marrow and what it does for the body.

What Is the Bone Marrow?

The bone marrow is the spongy tissue present in the inner hollow of your bones. It comprises fat cells and osteoblasts, specialized cells responsible for producing new red blood cells, white blood cells (which fight many infections), and platelets (which help stop bleeding).

Where is the Bone Marrow Located?

The bone marrow is located in the medullary cavities of long bones like your femur, tibia, and humerus. It’s also found in the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, pelvis, and scapula.

What Are the Types of Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow is divided into two types: red and yellow.

1) Red bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It’s found in adults on the inside surfaces of bones like your hip bones or ribs.

2) Yellow bone marrow primarily functions as a storage site for fat and helps insulate the body to keep it warm. It’s found in adults in the hollows of long bones.

What Does Bone Marrow Do?

The bone marrow has some primary functions as follows:

1)  Producing New Blood Cells

Blood cells are the body’s lifeline, circulating through your body to supply oxygen and nutrients and remove waste. The bone marrow is the primary site for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen to all the body parts, while white blood cells help fight infection. Platelets play an essential role in clotting to help stop bleeding.

2) Storing Minerals and Fat

The bone marrow also stores minerals like iron, copper, and zinc. Iron is vital for producing red blood cells and oxygenating the blood. It’s also involved in enzyme function, energy production, DNA synthesis, and other vital processes.

3) Insulating the Body

Yellow bone marrow comprises fat cells that help insulate your body to keep it warm. This is especially important for maintaining your core temperature during colder months. For example, the yellow bone marrow will store fat during winter to insulate your body and help you maintain a healthy temperature.

What Is Bone Marrow Aspiration Therapy and How Does It Work?

Bone marrow aspiration therapy is a medical procedure to collect bone marrow for analysis. A sterile needle is inserted into your bone and suctioned out during the procedure. Bone marrow stem cells can also be collected for cancer therapy, bone marrow transplantation, or regenerative medicine treatments.

Regenerative medicine therapies, such as stem cell therapy, use bone marrow aspirate to provide new cells for tissue repair. This procedure is typically performed with the patient under intravenous sedation and does not require surgery. Once collected, the sample is analyzed in a laboratory and used to treat various ailments or conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and other musculoskeletal injuries.

Call The Regenerative Stem Cell Institute (TRSCI) for BMAC stem cells in Chicago. We offer an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure for bone marrow aspiration therapy.

At TRSCI, our experienced medical team is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for regenerative medicine treatments in Chicago, like BMAC stem cell therapy.