stage 1: vasoconstriction:

the damaged blood vessel constricts to decrease blood flow to the injured area and seal the wound

stage 2: platelet plug formation

then, platelets clump together and adhere to the injured vessel to form a platelet plug.

coagulation factors present in blood and tissue interact to form the clot

stage 3: fibrin clot formation

coagulation factors in the blood and tissue interact to form a fibrin clot to stop blood flow

a fibrin clot is formed through a series of coagulation factors called Coagulation Cascade

stage 4: Fibrinolysis

when blood flow stops the clot is dissolved then through a process called fibrinolysis

this process keeps the vascular system free of fibrin and fibrin clots (clots that break free can cause strokes/death)

this process is mediated by plasmin (an enzyme) which gradually begins to break down the clot

necessary to control bleeding from large wounds

innermost layer of endothelial cells

unexposed and intact endothelium layer

non-reactive with platelets and unable to intiate the coagulation cascade

serves as the primary hemostasis by assisting in platelet activation, limiting coagulation mechanism and dissolving the fibrin clot