Bone marrow

Bone marrow is a soft, highly vascular tissue found primarily within the central cavities of bones, responsible for hematopoiesis (generation of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). It is made up of hematopoietic cells (stem and progenitor cells), stromal cells (including mesenchymal stem cells), adipocytes, endothelial cells, and supporting tissue. The marrow contains a hierarchical cellular structure, supporting both the lymphoid and myeloid lineages of blood cells. It plays a central role in immune system development, serves as a niche for stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and is also involved in lipid storage and metabolism through bone marrow adipocytes. Diseases affecting the bone marrow are diverse and include malignant (leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma) and non-malignant (anemias, marrow failure syndromes, infections) conditions. Bone marrow is not a single molecule or receptor but has diverse molecular constituents that are the true targets for specific therapeutic drugs and diagnostics.

Other names

MarrowMedulla ossiumHematopoietic tissueRed marrowYellow marrow