The Coagulation Cascade is a complex series of events that helps our body stop bleeding when we get injured. It involves various proteins, known as clotting factors, that work together in a specific order. When a blood vessel is damaged, these factors are activated, leading to the formation of a sticky substance called fibrin, which helps to create a clot and seal the wound.
This process can be divided into three main pathways: the intrinsic pathway, the extrinsic pathway, and the common pathway. Each pathway has its own triggers but ultimately converges to produce thrombin, an enzyme that converts fibrinogen into fibrin. This ensures that bleeding is controlled and healing can begin.