What does bone marrow do for the body and where can it be found?

Bone marrow is a soft, gelatinous tissue that fills the hollow interiors of bones. It produces blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, white blood cells fight infection, and platelets help stop bleeding.

Bone marrow can be found in:

- The long bones of the arms and legs

- The vertebrae (bones of the spine)

- The ribs

- The pelvis

- The skull

Red bone marrow is responsible for producing red blood cells. It is found in the flat bones of the skull, sternum, vertebrae, and pelvis, as well as in the ends of the long bones of the arms and legs.

Yellow bone marrow stores fat and releases it into the bloodstream when the body needs energy. It is found in the shafts of the long bones of the arms and legs.

Bone marrow transplants are a common treatment for leukemia and other blood cancers. A bone marrow transplant involves replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor.