Platelet Plug Formation

A platelet plug is formed through the following processes in order to literally plug a hole in the wall of the vascular lumen:

1. Platelet Adhession – during this process the platelets bind to collagen that has become exposed due to the damage in the vascular wall during the initial injury.

2. Platelet Release Reaction (Degranulation) – This is where blood has come into contact with collagen and caused the release of  platelet release chemicals

3. Aggregation – Fibrinogen, released when the blood cells come into contact with the exposed collagen, then binds platelets together at specific receptor sites. This then creates a plately plug.