Coagulation cascade

Definition

The coagulation cascade is a series of biochemical reactions that lead to the formation of a blood clot. It involves multiple clotting factors that sequentially activate each other.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The coagulation cascade has two pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic, both of which converge on the common pathway.
2. Intrinsic pathway is activated by damage inside the vascular system, while the extrinsic pathway is triggered by external trauma causing blood to escape from the vessel.
3. Key clotting factors include fibrinogen, prothrombin, and Factor X among others.
4. Anticoagulant drugs like warfarin act by inhibiting specific factors within the coagulation cascade to prevent clot formation.
5. Deficiencies or dysfunctions in any part of the coagulation cascade can lead to bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.

Review Questions

• What are the two main pathways in the coagulation cascade?
• How do anticoagulant drugs affect the coagulation cascade?
• Which clotting factor plays a central role in both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways?

Related terms

Anticoagulant: A drug that helps prevent blood clots by inhibiting one or more steps in the coagulation cascade.

Thrombin:

An enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin during blood clot formation.

Hemophilia: A genetic disorder where certain clotting factors are deficient, leading to excessive bleeding.