Hemostasis

Hemostasis, like homeostasis refers to maintaining systems within the body within normal, pre-determined ranges, and in the case of hemostasis, it specifically refers to maintaining a stable flow and level of blood within the circulatory system.  Mechanisms of hemostasis include: plateles, blood proteins, and vasculature.

The basic sequence of clotting includes the following steps:

1. Vasoconstriction (in order to lesson the area in which the blood can leave the vascular system – this is also known as a vasospasm);

2. Development and formation of a platelet plug (a whole bunch of platelets aggregate “join together”  and develops a plug to block the hole/wound);

3. Activation of the clotting system (the clotting cascade). If you want to learn more about the complex process of the clotting cascade, please review my Clotting Cascade Page.

4.Formation of a complete blood clot (involving more than just platelets);

5. Clot retraction and dissolution (this involves fibrinolysis/breaking up of the clot).