What is the process by which bleeding is stopped?

Hemostasis is the physiological process that prevents and stops bleeding, essentially maintaining blood in a fluid state within the vascular system while allowing for clot formation when necessary. This process involves several steps: vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation, which collectively function to seal injured blood vessels and minimize blood loss.

To elaborate, during hemostasis, blood vessels constrict in a response called vascular spasm, reducing blood flow. Platelets then aggregate at the site of injury, creating a temporary "plug." Subsequently, the coagulation cascade is triggered, resulting in the formation of a stable blood clot made of fibrin. This series of events not only helps to stop bleeding but also initiates tissue repair processes.

Coagulation, while related to hemostasis, specifically refers to the phase where blood transforms from a liquid to a gel-like state, ultimately forming a stable clot. It is one of the key components of hemostasis but does not encompass the entire process.

Inflammation refers to the body's response to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. While inflammation may occur concurrently with hemostasis following injury, it is not directly involved in the cessation of bleeding.

Vasodilation is the widening