Clotting factors

Clotting Factors

Clotting factors (pronunciation: /ˈklɒtɪŋ ˈfæktəz/) are proteins in the blood that work together to help the blood clot. They are numbered I through XIII based on the order of their discovery.

Etymology

The term "clotting factor" is derived from the English words "clot" and "factor". "Clot" comes from the Old English "clott", meaning a lump or mass, and "factor" comes from the Latin "factor", meaning a doer or maker.

Clotting Factor I

Clotting Factor I, also known as fibrinogen, is a protein produced by the liver. It is converted into fibrin during blood clot formation.

Clotting Factor II

Clotting Factor II, also known as prothrombin, is a protein produced by the liver. It is converted into thrombin, which then converts fibrinogen to fibrin.

Clotting Factor III

Clotting Factor III, also known as tissue factor, is a protein that triggers the clotting cascade.

Clotting Factor IV

Clotting Factor IV, also known as calcium, is an ion that plays a crucial role in the clotting process.

Clotting Factor V

Clotting Factor V, also known as labile factor or proaccelerin, is a protein that accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.

Clotting Factor VII

Clotting Factor VII, also known as stable factor or proconvertin, is a protein that initiates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation.

Clotting Factor VIII

Clotting Factor VIII, also known as antihemophilic factor, is a protein that acts as a cofactor for factor IX.

Clotting Factor IX

Clotting Factor IX, also known as Christmas factor, is a protein that plays a key role in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation.

Clotting Factor X

Clotting Factor X, also known as Stuart-Prower factor, is a protein that plays a central role in the clotting cascade.

Clotting Factor XI

Clotting Factor XI, also known as plasma thromboplastin antecedent, is a protein that activates factor IX.

Clotting Factor XII

Clotting Factor XII, also known as Hageman factor, is a protein that initiates the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation.

Clotting Factor XIII

Clotting Factor XIII, also known as fibrin-stabilizing factor, is a protein that cross-links fibrin.

Clotting factors