Cord Blood Storage Bank

Sources and Names of Stem Cells

Sources of Stem Cells

There are many sources of stem cell that can be found in the human body, but there are only three areas where stem cells are concentrated. These are the three sources that are used in stem cell transplants:

• Umbilical Cord Blood
• Bone Marrow
• Peripheral (or Circulating) Blood

Names of Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells: These cells are found in newly fertilized eggs. They can divide into an endless number of embryonic cells, which is technically defined as proliferation. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells in research, since these stem cells cannot be harvested without destroying the embryo.

Adult Stem Cells: These are the types of cells listed in the section above, Sources of Stem Cells. While one might think the stem cells from umbilical cord blood comes from the baby, they do not — these cells are produced by the mother during pregnancy.