Final answer:
The measure of the percentage of platelets that are larger than normal is called platelet distribution width (PDW). PDW is part of hematology tests that assess platelet size variability and can be significant in diagnosing blood disorders. size distribution can be key in diagnosing various hematological disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The measure of the percentage of platelets that are larger than normal is known as platelet distribution width (PDW). This test is part of a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, which includes measurement of various blood components, such as red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin, hematocrit (also known as packed cell volume or PCV), and platelets (also called thrombocytes).
While measuring hematocrit, RBCs are separated from plasma by centrifugation to determine their volume percentage in a blood sample. The PDW, along with mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR), helps evaluate platelet production in the bone marrow and can indicate diseases involving platelets. Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting, and understanding their size distribution can be key in diagnosing various hematological disorders.