Hemostasis Flashcards
What is hemostasis?
Hemostasis is a process that stops bleeding and helps keep blood within the damaged vessel.
What are the stages of hemostasis?
Hemostasis involves stages of vascular spasm or vasoconstriction, the formation of a platelet plug, and then a blood clot.
What happens during vascular spasm?
When a blood vessel wall is broken, muscles in the vessel wall contract to reduce blood loss.
What is the role of platelets in hemostasis?
Nearby platelets are activated and become sticky, clumping together to form a platelet plug over the break.
What happens to fibrinogen during hemostasis?
Fibrinogen within plasma changes into fibrin, which forms a mesh to trap blood cells and tighten into a platelet plug.
What is the final step of hemostasis?
The next step, called coagulation, involves activation of blood clotting factors, strengthening fibrin and changing the plug into a stable clot.
