Physiology of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Coagulation: The coagulation cascade is a tightly regulated process that helps stop bleeding and maintain a st...
Coagulation: The coagulation cascade is a tightly regulated process that helps stop bleeding and maintain a steady blood volume. It involves a complex series of biochemical reactions that convert a protein called fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms a mesh that plugs the hole and stops the bleeding.
Fibrinolysis: Fibrinolysis is the opposite of coagulation. It's triggered when blood vessels are damaged, and the fibrin mesh is broken down into smaller components that can be removed from the blood.
Key points about coagulation:
The cascade involves a series of proteinases breaking down fibrinogen into fibrin.
Fibrin forms a mesh that plugs the hole and stops bleeding.
Different blood proteins like thrombin, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor are involved in the cascade.
The process is tightly controlled to maintain a balance between bleeding and clot formation.
Examples:
A cut or injury triggers coagulation.
A blood clot forms when fibrinogen in the blood is converted to fibrin.
Fibrinolysis occurs when a blood vessel is damaged and the fibrin mesh is broken down