Coagulate
Coagulate
Coagulate (pronounced koh-AG-yuh-late) is a medical term that refers to the process by which a liquid, typically part of the body such as blood, changes state to become a solid or semi-solid.
Etymology
The term 'coagulate' originates from the Latin word 'coagulare', which means 'to curdle'.
Definition
In the medical field, coagulation is a complex process by which blood forms clots. It is an important part of hemostasis (the cessation of blood loss from a damaged vessel), wherein a damaged blood vessel wall is covered by a platelet and fibrin-containing clot to stop bleeding and begin repair of the damaged vessel. Disorders of coagulation can lead to an increased risk of bleeding (hemorrhage) or obstructive clotting (thrombosis).
Related Terms
- Hemostasis: The process of the blood clotting. In the body, hemostasis occurs after injury to a blood vessel and involves coagulation.
- Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. It is a disorder of coagulation.
- Hemorrhage: A severe, potentially life-threatening, form of bleeding often caused by injury, surgery, or a disorder of the blood vessels. It can be a result of a coagulation disorder.
- Fibrin: An insoluble protein that is produced in response to bleeding and is the major component of the clot.
- Platelet: A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Coagulate
- Wikipedia's article - Coagulate
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