The clotting cascade is a complex series of events that helps our body stop bleeding when we get injured. When a blood vessel is damaged, it triggers a chain reaction involving various proteins in the blood, known as clotting factors. These factors work together to form a stable clot, which seals the wound and prevents further blood loss. There are two main pathways in the clotting cascade: the intrinsic pathway and the extrinsic pathway. The intrinsic pathway is activated by damage to the blood vessel, while the extrinsic pathway is triggered by external factors, such as tissue injury. Both pathways converge to create a fibrin mesh, which solidifies the clot and aids in healing.