What term is used to describe the layer that contains white blood cells and platelets in a blood sample?

The term used to describe the layer that contains white blood cells and platelets in a blood sample is referred to as the "buffy coat." When blood is centrifuged, it separates into three distinct layers; the bottom layer consists of red blood cells, the top layer is clear plasma, and the middle layer - which appears as a thin white or pale layer - is the buffy coat. This layer is crucial because it contains the leukocytes (white blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets), which play significant roles in the body’s immune response and clotting mechanisms, respectively. Identifying and understanding the buffy coat is vital for phlebotomists and lab technicians when analyzing blood components for diagnostic purposes.