Blood clot formation

Blood clotting normally occurs when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets, which come from white blood cell fragments, immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops.Next, small molecules, called clotting factors, cause strands of blood-borne materials, called fibrin, to stick together and seal the inside of the wound. Eventually, the cut blood vessel heals, and the blood clot dissolves after a few days.

Review Date: 04/13/2006
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team. Previously reviewed by Stephen Grund, M.D. Ph.D.,Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/4/2004).