Vascular spasm

Definition

Vascular spasm is the immediate but temporary constriction of a blood vessel that occurs following an injury, helping to reduce blood flow and loss. It acts as the first response in the hemostasis process to prevent excessive bleeding.

Related terms

Hemostasis:

The physiological process by which bleeding ceases, involving several steps including vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Platelet plug formation: The accumulation of platelets at the site of a blood vessel injury that adhere together to form a temporary "plug" in the vessel wall.

Coagulation:

The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot, which is part of the body's mechanism to stop bleeding