Abstract
Haematopoietic tissue carries out the lifelong production of blood cells. The quantitative and qualitative aspects of blood cell production are summarised in this short review.
The haematopoietic tissue is the best researched tissues regarding the role of stem and progenitor cells in tissue homeostasis and function. Advanced experimental methods, especially cell transplantation and flow cytometry, enable research into the functional organisation of haematopoietic tissue beyond the limits present in other tissues.
The review focuses upon the haematopoietic stem cell, the developmental hierarchy in blood cell formation and the role of stroma in the support and control of blood cell production. A brief overview of embryonic and foetal haematopoiesis is also provided.