Kudostekijäjärjestelmä

Kudostekijäjärjestelmä, often translated as the coagulation system or clotting cascade, is a complex network of proteins in the blood that works to stop bleeding. When a blood vessel is injured, this system is activated in a series of steps, much like a chain reaction. Each step involves a specific protein, called a clotting factor, which activates the next factor in the sequence.

The primary goal of the kudostekijäjärjestelmä is to form a blood clot. This clot is a plug made of fibrin, a protein that is generated from its precursor, fibrinogen, during the cascade. The fibrin network traps blood cells and platelets, effectively sealing the wound and preventing further blood loss.

The system has two main pathways: the intrinsic pathway and the extrinsic pathway. Both pathways eventually converge into a common pathway, leading to the final formation of the fibrin clot. While essential for survival, the kudostekijäjärjestelmä must be tightly regulated. Excessive clotting can lead to dangerous conditions like thrombosis, where clots form within blood vessels and block blood flow. Conversely, insufficient clotting can result in uncontrolled bleeding. Various inhibitors and feedback mechanisms ensure that clotting occurs only when and where it is needed.