Blood clotting
Blood Clotting
Blood clotting (pronunciation: /blʌd klɒtɪŋ/), also known as coagulation, is a complex process by which the blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot. It potentially results in hemostasis, the cessation of blood loss from a damaged vessel, followed by repair. The process is often part of the body's defense mechanism to prevent excessive bleeding when injured.
Etymology
The term "blood clotting" is derived from the Old English word "blod" meaning "blood", and the Middle English word "clot" meaning a lump or mass. The term "coagulation" comes from the Latin word "coagulare" which means "to cause to curdle".
Process
The process of blood clotting involves a series of chemical reactions in the body where platelets, a type of blood cell, stick together and work with proteins in the plasma to form a clot. This process is initiated by the coagulation cascade, a series of steps involving coagulation factors that lead to the final clot formation.
Related Terms
- Thrombus: A blood clot that forms in a vessel and remains there.
- Embolus: A blood clot, air bubble, piece of fatty deposit, or other object that has been carried in the bloodstream to lodge in a vessel and cause an embolism.
- Anticoagulant: A substance that prevents or reduces coagulation of the blood, prolonging the clotting time.
- Hemostasis: The stopping of a flow of blood.
- Coagulation factors: Various proteins in the blood that work together to create a clot.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood clotting
- Wikipedia's article - Blood clotting
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