Platelets and Clotting Factors

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to platelets, clotting factors, and hemostasis, preparing for an understanding of blood clotting mechanisms and related disorders.

Thrombocytes

Another name for platelets, which play a key role in hemostasis.

Hemostasis

The process to stop bleeding involving vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Thrombopoietin

A hormone produced by the liver and kidneys that stimulates platelet formation.

Platelet Plug Formation

The process where platelets adhere to damaged endothelium and aggregate to form a temporary seal.

Coagulation Cascade

The series of events where clotting factors are activated to form a fibrin clot.

Fibrinolysis

The process of removing unneeded clots after healing by breaking down fibrin.

Embosis

The obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus.

Hemophilia

A hereditary disorder resulting in prolonged bleeding due to missing clotting factors.

Petechiae

Small purple spots on the skin caused by minor bleeding from broken capillaries.

Von Willebrand Factor

A plasma protein that helps platelets stick to collagen in the blood vessel wall.