Tissue factor

Definition

Tissue Factor is a protein found on the surface of cells that initiates blood clotting by activating the coagulation cascade. It plays a crucial role in hemostasis by binding with factor VIIa, which then activates other factors in the blood clotting process.

Related terms

Hemostasis: The physiological process that stops bleeding at the site of an injury while maintaining blood in a fluid state within the vascular system.

Coagulation Cascade: A sequence of enzymatic reactions involving coagulation factors (proteins) that culminate in the formation of a blood clot.

Factor VIIa: An activated enzyme in the coagulation cascade that plays an essential role by combining with tissue factor to activate other factors needed for blood clotting