Blood clotting factors
Blood Clotting Factors
Blood clotting factors are proteins in the blood that control bleeding. When a blood vessel is injured, the walls of the blood vessel contract to limit the flow of blood to the damaged area. Then, the blood clotting factors work together in a series of complex chemical reactions (known as the coagulation cascade) to form a blood clot.
Pronunciation: /blʌd/ /ˈklɒtɪŋ/ /ˈfæktəz/
Etymology: The term "blood" comes from the Old English "blod", the term "clotting" comes from the Old English "clott", meaning "to coagulate", and the term "factors" comes from the Latin "factor", meaning "doer, maker".
Types of Blood Clotting Factors
There are 13 known blood clotting factors, and they are typically identified by Roman numerals (I through XIII). Some of the key factors include:
- Factor I (Fibrinogen): This protein is converted into fibrin, which forms the framework of a clot.
- Factor II (Prothrombin): This protein is converted into thrombin, which converts fibrinogen to fibrin.
- Factor VIII: This factor is essential for the activation of factor X, which in turn helps convert prothrombin into thrombin.
- Factor IX: This factor is part of the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade.
- Factor X: This factor is part of the common pathway of the coagulation cascade.
Related Terms
- Coagulation: The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot.
- Hemostasis: The process of stopping bleeding.
- Thrombus: A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or within the heart.
- Anticoagulant: A substance that prevents coagulation, thus prolonging the clotting time.
Disorders Related to Blood Clotting Factors
Disorders related to blood clotting factors can lead to excessive bleeding or clotting. Some of these disorders include:
- Hemophilia: A group of bleeding disorders in which it takes a long time for the blood to clot.
- Von Willebrand Disease: A bleeding disorder caused by low levels of clotting protein in the blood.
- Factor V Leiden: A mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood that can increase your chance of developing abnormal blood clots.
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