What does coagulation refer to in medical terms?

Coagulation refers to the process of blood clotting, which is a critical physiological mechanism that helps prevent excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. During coagulation, a series of biochemical reactions occur that lead to the transformation of liquid blood into a solid mass, or clot. This involves various components of the blood, including platelets, clotting factors, and fibrin, which work together to form a stable clot that seals the wound and protects the body from further blood loss and infection. Understanding coagulation is essential in medical practice, as abnormalities in this process can lead to either excessive bleeding or unwanted clot formation, both of which can pose significant health risks.