Bone Marrow: More Questions Than Answers

Abstract

A man's bone marrow, an organ the size of the liver, produces each hour 1010 red cells (give or take a bit), and half that number of granulocytes and platelets. At that, 50 per cent of the marrow is fatty tissue. But with an appropriate stress it all becomes as cellular again as it is in childhood, and its output can increase to many times the normal. By measuring its product, analyzing aspirated samples and studying stained sections, we have learned much, and yet we remain puzzled by some obvious characteristics of the marrow.Why is it always in a . . .