Verehüübimine

Verehüübimine, also known as blood clotting or coagulation, is a crucial physiological process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It is a complex cascade involving a series of proteins called clotting factors, platelets, and the blood vessel wall. When an injury occurs, platelets aggregate at the site of damage and form a temporary plug. This triggers a cascade of enzymatic reactions involving the clotting factors, ultimately leading to the formation of a fibrin clot. This fibrin network traps blood cells and further solidifies the plug, effectively sealing the wound and allowing the tissue to heal.

The process can be initiated through two pathways: the intrinsic pathway, which is activated by damage to the blood vessel itself, and the extrinsic pathway, which is activated by tissue factor released from damaged cells outside the blood vessel. Both pathways converge to a common pathway where the final clot is formed. Maintaining a delicate balance is essential; insufficient clotting can lead to excessive bleeding disorders, while excessive clotting can result in dangerous thrombi that can block blood flow and cause strokes or heart attacks. Anticoagulant medications are often used to manage conditions where abnormal clotting is a risk.