Coagulation system

Coagulation System

The Coagulation System (pronunciation: koh-ag-yuh-ley-shuhn sis-tuhm) is a complex biological system that stops bleeding from damaged blood vessels. It is also known as the Clotting System or Hemostatic System.

Etymology

The term "Coagulation" comes from the Latin word "coagulare", which means "to curdle". The term "System" is derived from the Greek word "systēma", meaning "whole compounded of several parts or members".

Process

The Coagulation System involves a series of chemical reactions that lead to the formation of a clot. This process is initiated when blood vessels are damaged, exposing the underlying tissue factor. The platelets adhere to the damaged site and release chemicals that activate the coagulation cascade. This cascade involves the sequential activation of coagulation factors, leading to the formation of a fibrin clot that stops bleeding.

Components

The Coagulation System consists of numerous components, including:

Platelets: These are small blood cells that play a crucial role in blood clotting.
Coagulation Factors: These are proteins in the blood that work together to form a clot.
Fibrin: This is a protein that forms a mesh-like structure that holds the clot together.
Endothelial Cells: These cells line the blood vessels and play a role in preventing clot formation under normal conditions.

Related Terms

Hemostasis: This is the process of stopping bleeding, which involves the Coagulation System.
Thrombosis: This is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which can be caused by abnormalities in the Coagulation System.
Hemophilia: This is a genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, due to a deficiency in one or more of the coagulation factors.
Anticoagulants: These are drugs that prevent or reduce coagulation of blood, thus prolonging the clotting time.