Blood is prevented from clotting in the blood vessels by their smoothness and the finely tuned balance of clotting factors (WebMD, 2014). Hemostasis is concerned with the clotting, or stopping, of blood. The medical term used to describe a blood clot is thrombus. In the blood, there is a liquid called plasma that makes up about half of the blood. Plasma contains proteins that help blood to clot, transport substances through the blood, and perform other functions. Blood plasma also contains glucose and other dissolved nutrients (WebMD, 2014). A blood clot can be beneficial or of great consequence to the body. A thrombus can form as a part of the normal repair process of the body. For example, a thrombus can form when there is damage in the lining of a blood vessel, either in an artery or a vein (MedicineNet, 2015). In addition, clots occur when the blood stops circulating, becomes idle, or in diseases that result in abnormal blood clotting. There are times when a thrombus will form when it is not needed and can potentially lead to significant consequences. Damages can be greatly obvious, but at times other times, they are difficult to detect. Poor clotting with a minor injury to a blood vessel can lead to severe blood loss. When there is excessive clotting, small blood vessels in critical places will become clogged with clots. Clogged vessels in the brain and heart can result in strokes and heart attacks. The study of blood coagulation can be traced all the way back to approximately 400 BC.
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During this time, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician in the Age of Pericles, made great discoveries with regard to the characteristics and function of blood (Castellone, 2008). He later became known as the Father of Medicine (Castellone, 2008). Specifically, he observed that the blood of wounded soldiers would solidify as it cooled. Additionally, he discovered that bleeding from a small wound would eventually stop if skin overlaid the blood. Conversely, bleeding would start once again if the skin was extracted. Furthermore, another important historical figure in the study of medicine, Aristotle, noted that blood cooled when removed from the body, which initiated decay and resulted in the congealing of the blood (Castellone, 2008). Throughout time, scientist have continued to research and study the blood and its diseases. Scientists are discovering new information and practices involving the blood every day. The generosity of donors is not only measured by the lives that are saved today. It is also measured by the discoveries that scientists are enabled to make. These discoveries are important because they are helping future generations even more. Advanced discoveries such as transfusions, transplants, and biotechnology will be greatly beneficial in the future. Blood is prevented from clotting in the blood vessels by their smoothness and the finely tuned balance of clotting factors (WebMD, 2014). …show more content…
Hemostasis is concerned with the clotting, or stopping, of blood. The medical term used to describe a blood clot is thrombus. In the blood, there is a liquid called plasma that makes up about half of the blood. Plasma contains proteins that help blood to clot, transport substances through the blood, and perform other functions. Blood plasma also contains glucose and other dissolved nutrients (WebMD, 2014). A blood clot can be beneficial or of great consequence to the body. A thrombus can form as a part of the normal repair process of the body. For example, a thrombus can form when there is damage in the lining of a blood vessel, either in an artery or a vein (MedicineNet, 2015). In addition, clots occur when the blood stops circulating, becomes idle, or in diseases that result in abnormal blood clotting. There are times when a thrombus will form when it is not needed and can potentially lead to significant consequences. Damages can be greatly obvious, but at times other times, they are difficult to detect. Poor clotting with a minor injury to a blood vessel can lead to severe blood loss. When there is excessive clotting, small blood vessels in critical places will become clogged with clots. Clogged vessels in the brain and heart can result in strokes and heart attacks. The study of blood coagulation can be traced all the way back to approximately 400 BC. During this time, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician in the Age of Pericles, made great discoveries with regard to the characteristics and function of blood
During this time, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician in the Age of Pericles, made great discoveries with regard to the characteristics and function of blood (Castellone, 2008). He later became known as the Father of Medicine (Castellone, 2008). Specifically, he observed that the blood of wounded soldiers would solidify as it cooled. Additionally, he discovered that bleeding from a small wound would eventually stop if skin overlaid the blood. Conversely, bleeding would start once again if the skin was extracted. Furthermore, another important historical figure in the study of medicine, Aristotle, noted that blood cooled when removed from the body, which initiated decay and resulted in the congealing of the blood (Castellone, 2008). Throughout time, scientist have continued to research and study the blood and its diseases. Scientists are discovering new information and practices involving the blood every day. The generosity of donors is not only measured by the lives that are saved today. It is also measured by the discoveries that scientists are enabled to make. These discoveries are important because they are helping future generations even more. Advanced discoveries such as transfusions, transplants, and biotechnology will be greatly beneficial in the future. Blood is prevented from clotting in the blood vessels by their smoothness and the finely tuned balance of clotting factors (WebMD, 2014). …show more content…
Hemostasis is concerned with the clotting, or stopping, of blood. The medical term used to describe a blood clot is thrombus. In the blood, there is a liquid called plasma that makes up about half of the blood. Plasma contains proteins that help blood to clot, transport substances through the blood, and perform other functions. Blood plasma also contains glucose and other dissolved nutrients (WebMD, 2014). A blood clot can be beneficial or of great consequence to the body. A thrombus can form as a part of the normal repair process of the body. For example, a thrombus can form when there is damage in the lining of a blood vessel, either in an artery or a vein (MedicineNet, 2015). In addition, clots occur when the blood stops circulating, becomes idle, or in diseases that result in abnormal blood clotting. There are times when a thrombus will form when it is not needed and can potentially lead to significant consequences. Damages can be greatly obvious, but at times other times, they are difficult to detect. Poor clotting with a minor injury to a blood vessel can lead to severe blood loss. When there is excessive clotting, small blood vessels in critical places will become clogged with clots. Clogged vessels in the brain and heart can result in strokes and heart attacks. The study of blood coagulation can be traced all the way back to approximately 400 BC. During this time, Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician in the Age of Pericles, made great discoveries with regard to the characteristics and function of blood