Which statement best defines hematocrit?

Prepare for the Anatomy and Physiology II Milestone 1 Test with engaging questions, in-depth explanations, and focused study resources. Start your journey to excel in your exam!

Hematocrit measures the proportion of blood volume that is made up of formed elements. When blood is spun in a centrifuge, plasma is on top, a thin layer called the buffy coat contains white blood cells and platelets, and red blood cells form the bottom layer. Since formed elements are mostly red blood cells, hematocrit essentially reflects the red cell volume as a percentage of total blood. It is not a measure of plasma, urine formation, or the percentage of white blood cells.