Section 5
Hemostasis
Book
Version 29
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Anatomy and Physiology
Physiology
by Boundless
7 concepts
Overview of Hemostasis
Hemostasis is the natural process that stops blood loss when an injury occurs.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/30821/square/microvessel.jpeg)
Vascular Spasm
Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood loss during injury.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/30605/square/platelets.jpeg)
Platelet Plug Formation
At the site of vessel injury, platelets stick together to create a plug, which is the beginning of blood clot formation.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1908/square/-blood-coagulation-pathway.jpg)
Coagulation
Coagulation is the process by which a blood clot forms to reduce blood loss after damage to a blood vessel.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/16457/square/715px-coagulation-in-vivo.jpg)
Role of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an essential factor of the coagulation cascade.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/16702/square/vasculopathy-very-high-mag.jpeg)
Clot Retraction and Repair
Clot retraction is the shrinking of a blood clot facilitated by thrombolytic agents.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/6621/square/360px-fibrinolysis.jpg)
Fibrinolysis
Fibrinolysis is a process of breaking down clots in order to prevent them from growing and becoming problematic.