MSN: Why your hands or fingers turn blue: Understanding peripheral cyanosis, causes, and what it says about blood flow

Noticing your hands or fingers turning bluish in colour can be quite unsettling. This condition, known as peripheral cyanosis, occurs when oxygen-rich blood doesn’t reach your hands and feet ...

Why your hands or fingers turn blue: Understanding peripheral cyanosis, causes, and what it says about blood flow

Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells of the body, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. [1] Blood is composed of blood cells suspended in plasma.

Blood is a specialized fluid that constantly flows throughout your body. It’s made of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Latest in Blood Free Articles A retrospective, real-world study of IV iron use to treat iron deficiency anemia during acute infection

Blood is a fluid that transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and carries away carbon dioxide and other waste products. It contains specialized cells that serve particular functions. These cells are suspended in a liquid matrix known as plasma.

Detailed information on blood, including components of blood, functions of blood cells and common blood tests.

It has four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The blood that runs through the veins, arteries, and capillaries is known as whole blood—a mixture of about 55% plasma and 45% blood cells. About 7% to 8% of your total body weight is blood.