Hemostasis

This is a combination of morphological structures and biochemical mechanisms that stops bleeding and maintains blood in a fluid state in blood vessels. The processes involved in maintaining normal hemostasis in the body are conditionally divided into several stages: local vasoconstriction, formation of white (platelet) thrombus, formation of red thrombus, thrombus lysis, and restoration of the damaged blood vessel wall. These processes involve: the blood vessel wall, platelets, certain proteins involved in blood clotting and fibrinolysis. A crucial balance between clotting and fibrinolytic factors is important.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė