Hemostasis

Hemostasis is the natural process that stops blood loss when an injury occurs.

Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood loss during injury.

At the site of vessel injury, platelets stick together to create a plug, which is the beginning of blood clot formation.

Coagulation is the process by which a blood clot forms to reduce blood loss after damage to a blood vessel.

Vitamin K is an essential factor of the coagulation cascade.

Clot retraction is the shrinking of a blood clot facilitated by thrombolytic agents.

Fibrinolysis is a process of breaking down clots in order to prevent them from growing and becoming problematic.