The arrest of bleeding. There are 3 main natural mechanisms by which bleeding is stopped after injury. First, small blood vessels constrict. Second, small blood cells called platelets aggregate and plug the bleeding points. Third, the plasma coagulates, forming filaments of a substance called fibrin, which help to seal the damaged blood vessel (see blood clotting). Defects in any of these mechanisms can cause a bleeding disorder.
Haemostasis |
|
|