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blood
(blud)
the fluid that circulates through the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins and is the chief means of transport within the body. It transports oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. It also transports nutritive substances and metabolites to the tissues and removes waste products to the kidneys and other organs of excretion. In addition, blood plays an essential role in the maintenance of fluid balance. Blood is composed of two parts: the fluid portion is called plasma, and the solid portion or formed elements suspended in the fluid; the latter consists of the blood cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and the platelets.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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