---
title: Buffy coat
url: https://regenmedtools.com/glossary/buffy-coat/
type: glossary
primaryQuery: buffy coat
---

# Buffy coat

The buffy coat is the thin layer that forms between the red cells and the plasma after centrifugation. It contains most of the leukocytes and platelets in the sample. In PRP preparation it is the layer being harvested.

In a fixed-angle rotor the buffy coat forms as a diagonal band against the tube wall, which makes a clean draw harder. In a swing-out rotor it forms flat and perpendicular to the tube.


## Related
- [prp](https://regenmedtools.com/glossary/prp/)
- [leukocyte-rich-prp](https://regenmedtools.com/glossary/leukocyte-rich-prp/)
- [swing-out-rotor](https://regenmedtools.com/glossary/swing-out-rotor/)